THURSDAY 26TH MARCH 2020

CBN Unveils Modalities to Disburse N100bn Healthcare Credit Support Obinna Chima Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday released guidelines for accessing the N100 billion credit support facility for the healthcare sector announced last week by its Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele.

The fund was announced as part of a raft of measures to cushion the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy.

This came a day after the apex bank released the guidelines for a N50 billion targeted credit facility that was

also announced last week.

According to a circular dated March 25 and signed by the CBN Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, Mr. Kevin Amugo, obtained on the bank’s website, the scheme would be funded from the Real Sector Support Facility –

Differentiated Cash Reserves Requirement (RSSF-DCCR).

The bank stated that the exit date of the facility shall be December 31, 2030.

It listed eligible participants under the scheme to include healthcare product manufacturers, including

pharmaceutical drugs and medical equipment; healthcare service providers/medical facilities – hospitals/clinics, diagnostic centres, laboratories, fitness and wellness centres, rehabilitation centres, dialysis centres, blood banks, etc.

Some of the eligible activities

to be covered under the scheme include manufacturing of pharmaceutical drugs and medical equipment; establishment, expansion and upgrade of basic and specialised healthcare Continued on page 8

Airline Operators Count Losses, Suffer 80% Revenue Loss... Page 5 Thursday 26 March, 2020 Vol 25. No 9117. Price: N250

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Ministers to Take Tests as COVID-19 Bites Harder, Spreads to Eight States Infects Prince Charles Osinbajo tests negative With cases rising to 51, more govs selfisolate FG directs pharmaceutical research institute to identify herbal medicines active against pandemic Votes N16.5bn to curb spread CBN directs non-critical staff to work from home Dangote, banks to provide medical tents, urge govt to allow private labs conduct tests Our Correspondents Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is to conduct tests on ministers to determine their status following their contacts with some of the confirmed cases of COVID-19, THISDAY learnt yesterday.

No fewer than five governors have also gone into self-isolation as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread

of the virus following their close proximity to some infected persons, especially their colleague in Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, and Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari, both of whom tested positive to the virus.

It was also gathered that the ministers, some of whom had Continued on page 8

N’Assembly Leaders Meet Ministers, CBN Gov over 2020 Budget Review Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha and Udora Orizu in Abuja The National Assembly leadership yesterday met with the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Sylva Timipre; Governor of the Central

Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele; and other top government officials on the state of the economy and the planned review of 2020 Budget.

THISDAY learnt that following yesterday’s meeting in Abuja, the Continued on page 9

PREVENTION BETTER THAN CURE...

President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan (left), and Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, after a meeting on proposed review of 2020 Budget in Abuja…yesterday

Electricity Workers, NASU Threaten FG with Strike...

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Group News Editor Ejiofor Alike Email Ejiofor.Alike@thisdaylive.com, 08066066268

Airline Operators Count Losses, Suffer 80% Revenue Loss Air Peace, Arik Air suspend flight operations

Chinedu Eze Nigerian airline operators are counting their losses due to flight suspension and cancellations occasioned by the global pandemic, COVID-19, THISDAY has learnt.

Operators of travel agencies as well as private jet businesses are also badly hit by the impact of the virus because of low patronage.

Industry sources told THISDAY that domestic airlines have lost over 80 per cent of their revenue and have also been forced to bring down airfares to the level that could not even cover the cost of fuel just to attract passengers.

The Chief Operating Officer of Air Peace, Mrs. Toyin Olajide, whose company has over 50 per cent market share, told THISDAY that the airline has lost about N2.1 billion in the last three weeks due to the impact of the pathogen.

The airline has just announced the suspension of all its flight services.

She stated that the airline’s load factor has dropped below 40 per cent. “We have been losing a lot.

We lose money daily because passenger figures have dropped

by 60 per cent. We lose N100 million daily and we have been doing that in the last three weeks.

People are no longer flying.

We now attract passengers by lowering the fares for the past three weeks. “We charge N23, 000 per ticket for over 100 passengers in one flight. That is below the cost of fuel for a flight. We have to count the cost of insurance, spares and getting spares is very difficult now as there are no more international flights. “So, if you don’t have aircraft spares in your store, it becomes very difficult to replace the one in the aircraft because there are no flights,� she explained.

Olajide urged the federal government to intervene in the aviation sector to save jobs and ensure the continuous existence of firms. “We call on the federal government to see how they can help airlines, as other countries are doing, otherwise, jobs will be lost. This is a global problem. “No airline can even pay a salary this month. For the airlines to be afloat we need government support. The government can start by giving domestic airlines

FIRS Retires Directors, Names Replacements James Emejo in Abuja Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has retired all directors who have served eight years and above in their current positions.

FIRS Executive Chairman, Mr. Muhammad Nami, conveyed the decision of the FIRS board in a memo dated March 24, 2020, following an emergency board meeting.

He said the decision was “in line with Paragraph 10.1 (a)(iii) of HRPP. The board “also gave its approval for the appointment of four coordinating directors (CDs) in acting capacity and two group leads for six months."

The coordinating directors include Dr. Asheikh Maidugu, CD/Executive Chairman’s Group; Mr. Olufemi Oladeji Oluwaniyi, CD/Tax Operations Group; Mr. Innocent Chinyere Ohagwa, CD/ General Services Group and Mr. Ezra Usman Zubairu – CD/ Enforcement Support Group.

Also appointed as the Group Leads are Mrs. Faosat Oguniyi, Compliance Support Group and Ms. Chiaka Okoye as Digital Support Group.

The retirement came barely

two days after Nami reiterated his commitment to meeting the N8.5 trillion revenue target for the year.

Addressing members of staff at the retreat of Tax Operations Group in Abuja, he had encouraged the staff to take up the challenge and justify the confidence the country had reposed in the service particularly at this "critical time when virtually all the other sources of revenue for government are being challenged, especially by the coronavirus pandemic, the downward slide in the price of oil at the international market for as low as $30 per barrel against $57 benchmark used for the budget."

A source told THISDAY the latest move was part of FIRS' drive to boosting the morale of workers and strengthen their capacity to deliver on their jobs.

Nami said measures had been taken since assuming office to boost the welfare of staff as well as encourage them to give their best to improve its revenue profile, adding that "we shall not relent in providing the right environment for you to succeed."

waivers on charges and taxes; unless they want the airlines to die,� Olajide said.

Meanwhile, as part of the efforts to stop the spread of the pandemic, Nigeria’s biggest carrier, Air Peace, has announced the suspension of all its flight services.

In a statement signed by its Chief Operating Officer, Air Peace said: “It is with a great sense of responsibility that we have decided, in the best interest of our nation, our passengers and workforce, to suspend scheduled flight operations for 23 days effective 23.00hrs on Friday (an hour before midnight on Friday) the 27th day of March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. “This difficult decision was reached in order to, not only, support the efforts of the federal government and other stakeholders in curbing the spread of this the virus in our nation, but also to protect our teeming passengers and our staff from becoming victims of the pandemic.�

The airline noted that passenger traffic in the last three weeks had slumped drastically as a result of the pandemic, saying it was unwise to continue raking up avoidable costs that the airline could ill afford.

Arik Air has also suspended all scheduled commercial flight operations effective tomorrow.

The airline said it took the decision to mitigate the risk of the spread of COVID-19 to customers and staff.

Customers who have confirmed tickets were advised that they could still use their tickets when the airline resumes flight operations but such tickets could also be modified at no extra charge.

The Chief Executive Officer of Arik Air, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, in a statement yesterday, said: “The safety and well-being of our valued customers are paramount at this period of a health emergency. We implore everyone to keep safe and abide by all directives issued by governmental authorities. “We sincerely regret any inconvenience this suspension may have caused our customers.''

Ilegbodu added that Arik Air would be available to support government emergency, humanitarian and charter flight requests during the period of suspension of air transport operation.

Speaking on the losses incurred by the airlines, the President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), Mr. Bankole Bernard,

said the sub-sector has already lost about N180 billion, adding that as international flights become grounded with the closure of borders by many countries, the downstream sector of the aviation industry would record more losses.

The association said due to the downturn of business occasioned by the virus ravaging the world, 24, 000 travel agents might lose jobs.

According to him, travel agents are expected to remit monies generated on sales of tickets over a period of time to IATA, adding that they have not been able to sell tickets while the few tickets sold have not been paid for. “Therefore, it would be difficult to remit the monies to IATA at these trying times,� he said.

Also, the Chairman of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Captain Nogie Meggison, told THISDAY that load factor in domestic operation had drastically gone down, and it would get worse with the shutdown of economic activities

by Lagos State Government in the bid to check the spread of the pandemic.

Meggison explained: “The load factor is out. How long can we survive this way? Load factor is below 40 per cent so airlines are not even getting the cost of

operation so the best thing is to stop. The problem is that interest rates continue to grow. “Banks will not recognise the economic downturn caused by COVID-19. The value of the aircraft is going to be down and even when you ground your aircraft when the calendar dates come for mandatory checks, you must conduct the checks. If this shut down continues to summer, the market will be distorted. “The whole problem is in a spin right now. We are still going to do retraining of pilots overseas but no country will open its borders for you. Insurance will continue to run but the airlines can only change premium from airborne insurance to ground insurance after 30 days, which will save them 20 per cent of the premium. The whole thing is spin.�

Also, the Chairman and CEO of Quits Aviation, the major private jet terminal at Lagos airport, Mr. Sam Iwuajoku, told THISDAY that contrary to reports that some highly placed Nigerians have adopted charter operation instead of scheduled passenger service, the whole aviation industry is in distress because of low patronage.

He expressed hope that the industry would recover after the pandemic.

PREPARING FOR WAR...

L-R: Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Konbowei Benson; Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri; and Chief Medical Director, Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Dimie Ogoina, during an inspection of COVID-19 isolation wards at the NDUTH, Okolobiri‌yesterday

Issa-Onilu: APC Unaware of Court Ruling Restraining Ajimobi’s Inauguration Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday said it was not aware of the ruling by the Federal High Court, sitting in Ado Ekiti, which cautioned its National Chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, against appointing Senator Abiola Ajimobi as the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the party.

The court, presided over

by Justice UN Agoumoh, had

on Tuesday said it would be contemptuous for anyone to be appointed into the position by the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC) until the determination of a case filed by an aspirant, Mr. Michael Akinleye, contesting Ajimobi’s proposed nomination.

But the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, while responding to THISDAY inquiry, said while APC was

not officially aware of the court ruling, the party would follow the path of peaceful resolution of any issues that may arise.

He stated: "I’m not fully abreast of this matter as we have officially closed our offices, including the party secretariat because of COVID-19.

"While I cannot preempt the party’s approach to this matter, I can assure you that our party would always ultimately follow

the path of peaceful resolution of any issues that may arise."

The seat became vacant following the appointment of Mr. Niyi Adebayo as a minister representing Ekiti State.

The state chapter of the APC had nominated Senator Gbenga Aluko to fill the vacancy in respect of the party’s microzoning, and opposed the zoning of the position to Oyo State.

At the Tuesday's proceeding,

the counsel to the claimant, Mr. Taiwo Omidoyin, drew the attention of the court to the fact that APC NWC had gone ahead to appoint and inaugurate Ajimobi into the office, despite the pendency of the case.

But counsel to the respondent, Chief Anthony Adeniyi, said Ajimobi had neither been nominated nor installed in the office.

Justice Agoumoh, therefore,

ruled that status quo ante bellum be maintained.

"I want to warn the lawyers to tell their clients not to do anything that will jeopardise the case in court. I hope your clients have not taken any steps with regard to the case at hand. The consequences will be dire for anyone who flouts the order,� he ruled.

The judge adjourned the case till April 7 for further hearing.

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Electricity Workers, NASU Threaten Strike Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Electricity workers under the aegis of National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) in federal universities, polytechnics, and Colleges of Education have threatened to embark on industrial action.

While NASU served notice to go on an indefinite strike from April 1 if the shortfalls in their salaries were not corrected, NUEE threatened to shut down the power sector if the Minister of Power, Mr. Saleh Mamman, and other employers in the sector fail to take adequate precautionary measures to protect staff against COVID-19.

In a letter to the minister, NUEE General Secretary, Mr. Joe Ajaero, threatened that the minister would be held responsible for the transmission of COVID-19 to any staff in Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), especially its headquarters, for his failure to comply with the federal government’s directive on people that travelled to countries with high cases of infection to self-isolate. “Our attention has been drawn to the return of the Minister of Power, Mr. Saleh Mamman, from his trip to Germany and Egypt while on the entourage of the Chief

of Staff to the President.

The minister despite the president’s directive to selfisolate reported at the office in the midst of agitation and complains from the staff at TCN Headquarters, Abuja.

If not for the intervention of the union, there would have been pandemonium at the office, on Monday, March 23, 2020. “In view of recent developments, NUEE wishes to state unequivocally that the Minister of Power will be held responsible for the transmission of COVID-19 to any staff in TCN, especially its headquarters for his failure to comply with the federal government’s directive on people that travelled to countries with high cases of infection to self-isolation," the union said.

It also gave a 24-hour deadline to employers in the power sector to take adequate precautionary measures to protect their workers, especially those interfacing with the public, or else it would pull out its members from work.

On his part, NASU General Secretary, Educational and Associated Institutions, Mr. Peters Adeyemi, yesterday in Abuja, decried the deduction of the National Housing Fund (NHF) from tertiary institutions’ workers’ salaries.

“Those managing the Integrated Payroll Personnel and Information System (IPPIS) cannot afford to make mistakes in the March salaries. If the mistakes are made again, we will shut down all federal institutions in the country immediately.

What we are telling them now is to move quickly and correct the anomalies.

They should not allow the February mistake to repeat itself in the March salaries, if not, our reaction will be total,� he added.

According to him, the IPPIS did not take into account the peculiarities of workers in the tertiary institutions. “With this first experiment, it is clear that the platform designed for us did not take

our peculiarities on board.

Rather, what was done was to massively cut our members’ salaries and allowances and also deducted NHF, which has not been implemented in our institutions for many years. The reason the tertiary institutions pulled out from NHF was that it was not serving the purpose for which it was established. Indeed, some of the conditions that were specified in the scheme included the presentation of Certificate of Occupancy before accessing the facility. As a result of that, we protested against our inclusion and the government removed us from the scheme.

"Because IPPIS has our data, the government just went ahead to play around

with our salaries taking what they ought not to have taken from salaries and refusing to pay what they ought to have paid to us,� he stated.

He also explained that there were some NASU members that were not paid salaries while some were underpaid.

He added that allowances captured in the Polytechnic, Universities, and Colleges of Education 2009 agreement entered into with the federal government were not captured by IPPIS. He said the union's planned seven-day warning strike was shelved due to the closure of all institutions across the country because of the COVID-19 outbreak, adding: “We cannot embark on a strike when the institutions

are all closed. We cannot also wait for workers not to be paid for three months. That is why if by the end of this month, we are short-changed again, we would have no choice other than to proceed on a total strike.�

Adeyemi added that peculiarities that ought to have been integrated into IPPIS system included 65 years retirement age, sabbatical leave, earned allowances and peculiarity allowances.

He also stated that more than 200 non-academic members with salary accounts in microfinance banks in some institutions such as Federal College of Education Abeokuta were not paid February salaries.

Dangote Urges FG to Allow Private Hospitals Run COVID-19 Test Dike Onwuamaeze

President of Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has advised that private laboratories should be allowed to run COVID-19 tests alongside government centres.

He said giving approval to qualified private laboratories would reduce the waiting period for suspected COVID-19 cases.

He made this known in a statement to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos State. “There are currently five government laboratories equipped to handle all the testing in Nigeria. “However, we have many more quality ones that can do it, but are not yet approved by the government to do so,� he said.

The statement also noted that Dangote and the Managing Director, Access Bank Group, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, are spearheading a coalition of private sector organisations to support governments’ ongoing efforts at tackling the coronavirus menace.

Giving details of the coalition,

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Dangote said, “The coalition is working with Lagos State Government to erect fullyequipped medical tents that will serve as training, testing, isolation and treatment centres. “We are also providing an additional facility on Victoria Island, Lagos. “In addition, we will be bringing in experts from around the world to provide technical and training support. “COVID-19 affects us all and threatens our collective health – economic, social, psychological and physical wellbeing; hence, the urgent need to work together to beat this common enemy. “The task ahead is daunting and bigger than any one organisation. “To win this battle, it is critical we all come together as one.�

He disclosed that work had begun to ensure the facilities were completed in good time to serve the growing need of the population.

The statement said the initiative, which is called the Coalition Against Coronavirus (CACOVID) “will enhance the erection of fully-equipped medical tents to house patients and serve as training, testing, isolation and treatment centres.�

CACOVID, led by Dangote Industries Ltd and Access Bank Group in collaboration with Zenith Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, MTN, ITB and others, “is tasked with mobilising the private sector through leadership and resources in creating public awareness, and directing support for private and public healthcare institutions.�

SETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT...

L-R: Director, Defence Media Operation, Brig-Gen. Ben Onyeuko; the Coordinator, Maj-Gen. John Enenche; and Nigeria Air Force Liaison OďŹƒcer, Squadron Leader Alaere Obidake, during a press brieďŹ ng by the military on its operations across the country in Abuja‌yesterday enock reuben

Wike Closes Rivers’ Borders, Inaugurates Task Force on Ban of Public, Religious Gatherings Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt Rivers State Government has announced the closure of air, sea and land routes into the state with effect from today in what it said is a move to check the spread of COVID-19.

In a broadcast yesterday, Governor Nyesom Wike said the measure became necessary in view of recent developments.

According to him, “It is with gratitude to God that I announce to you that our state would have been infected with coronavirus yesterday, but for the vigilance of security agents, who, acting on a tip-off, prevented an infected person from boarding a flight from Abuja to Port Harcourt. “The infected person beat all security measures that were put in place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and was to sneak into Port Harcourt by air before security agents stopped her. “Based on this alarming information, the State Security Council met yesterday and reviewed measures already put in place, and decided that there was urgent need

to adopt stringent measures to protect those living and doing business in the state from the virus. “The council has therefore taken the following painful decisions: With effect from 6p.m. on March 26, the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, will not be open to air traffic. While we may not have the right to stop flights from entering Port Harcourt, we cannot allow anybody coming from the airport to enter our state. We are confident that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and other federal agencies will cooperate with us. “All land and sea borders will be closed. Vehicular movements in an out of the state have been banned. In essence, no vehicle will leave Rivers State for any other state and no vehicle will be allowed to enter the state.�

Wike said the new measures would be in place till further notice. “Let me reiterate that the situation we are facing requires drastic measures because coronavirus has ravaged many countries.

“Security agencies have been empowered to strictly enforce this directive. There will be no room for sacred cows because the virus is no respecter of persons. “May I once again call for the support and understanding of everyone living and doing business in Rivers State to help the relevant government agencies to implement these measures to check the spread of coronavirus to the state,� he stated.

The governor added: “At this time in our national life, we must shun primordial sentiments and face the reality on ground. “I am confident that God being on our side, the temporary hardship we are facing today will come to an end very soon.�

He said: “In that broadcast, I announced the setting up of surveillance posts at our land and sea borders, beginning from March 24. “I also informed you that after due consultations with religious leaders, all forms of open worship, including crusades and vigils, were banned.

“Public burials and weddings were prohibited, while public parks, night clubs and cinemas were directed to close down.�

Meanwhile, Wike, has inaugurated the states ‘Task Force on Enforcement of the Ban on Public and Religious Gatherings’ declaring that the state government is working assiduously to save the lives of Rivers people through the tough measures in place to tackle coronavirus.

Inaugurating the task force yesterday at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House in Port Harcourt, Wike said the state government is committed to ensuring that all residents of the state are protected from the ailment.

He said: “This is to make sure that there is compliance to all the decisions taken by the state government. I urge the security agencies to be firm in the implementation of our decision to close the borders of the state.�

Wike directed the security agencies to ensure that security operatives are deployed to the respective borders of the state.

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THISDAY had exclusively reported yesterday that some of the ministers had gone into self-isolation when the test showed Kyari to be positive.

The spread of COVID-19 to Aso Rock, the seat of power, has triggered anxiety among top government officials and prompted the presidency to scale up steps to curb the disease, which has so far infected 51 people since its outbreak in February.

Of the five more cases recorded yesterday, there were two fresh incidences in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), two in Lagos and one Rivers, bringing the number of infected states to eight and FCT. However, amid the gloomy situation, there was cheering news yesterday as the result of the test conducted on Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who had self-isolated in the last two days, was negative.

Osinbajo’s media aide, Mr. Laolu Akande, confirmed the status of the vice president yesterday.

There were also reports that Prince Charles tested positive while the only case of COVID-19 in Edo State was identified as the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Frank Okiye.

THISDAY gathered that the federal government directed all the ministers to proceed on self-isolation and to allow the NCDC to ascertain their COVID-19 status. It also directed the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) to develop models for identifying herbal medicines active against the pandemic.

THISDAY also gathered that the Presidential Taskforce on the Containment of the COVID-19, headed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, has been thrown into confusion as almost all its members who recently held meetings with Kyari have now gone on self-isolation for 14 days.

A presidency source told THISDAY yesterday that the situation is causing concern as governance is almost being crippled.

According to the source, most of the ministers who attended last week's Federal Executive Council meeting are being suspected of being infected by the virus.

The situation is said to have jolted most of the ministers some of whom were said to be angry at the health risk they were exposed to.

"Everybody is in disarray.

Almost every minister is on self-isolation - the same with all members of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19. They held meeting twice with the Chief of Staff on Saturday and Sunday and they all shook hands with him," he said.

The source explained that the implication is that the ministers would be technically on suspension from duties till the next 14 days after they have been tested and their result is known before they could resume work.

THISDAY gathered that even the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, was not at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja yesterday to receive the aircraft that brought in the medical equipment donated by a Chinese billionaire, Mr. Jack Ma. The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Abdullahi Marshi, was at the event.

Governors that THISDAY confirmed were on selfisolation were Mr. Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger), Dr. Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola (Osun) and Alhaji Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa).

However, the governors were said to be asymptomatic and only went into selfisolation in compliance with NCDC protocols.

THISDAY gathered that some other governors are also on self-isolation but refused to issue official confirmation.

The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Philip Shaibu, who announced the selfisolation of Obaseki, identified Okiye as the index case of the COVID-19 reported on Monday in the state.

He said Okiye who had travelled to the United Kingdom, came back and went into self-isolation at the Irrua Specialist Hospital, Irrua in the state.

"He sent his sample for testing and the test came back positive. He is in a stable condition and his family members have been tested and the tests came back negative," Edo deputy governor said.

He noted that the two persons the speaker got in close contact with were his wife and daughter whose samples had been taken and the result came out negative.

According to him, Obaseki went into self-isolation following his close contact with Mohammed and Kyari.

He said: "On his own, the governor avoided meeting with everybody when he arrived Benin from Abuja and has maintained social distance before going into self-isolation.�

He also stated that 111 persons were being tracked by the state government, adding that 64 had been contacted out of which six has been isolated and five samples were taken for testing.

The deputy governor urged residents of the state not to panic as the government was taking measures to curtail the spread of the disease.

Niger State Government also said the governor went into self-isolation as a result of his presence at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) meeting on March 18,

attended by his Bauchi State counterpart.

A statement by Bello’s Chief Press Secretary, Mrs. Mary Berje, said the governor self-isolated considering the fact that as a public figure, he must have had contact with some confirmed contact cases of COVID-19. “The governor has also directed that all his close aides and all cabinet members should subject themselves to self-isolation.�

Like his Niger State counterpart, Oyetola was said to have gone into self-isolation since he returned from Abuja on Tuesday where among other official functions, he attended the NGF meeting.

His Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ismail Omipidan, told THISDAY in a telephone interview yesterday that it was after he took a COVID-19 test, which turned out negative, that he performed some official functions.

At a press briefing yesterday to announce the spread of COVID-19 to the state, Oyetola said his wife had also tested negative for the virus.

He appealed to citizens to take the necessary action to avoid any precarious transmission.

"I want to passionately encourage all returnees from the UK, the US, Europe, the West African countries and indeed other high-risk countries to self-isolate and submit themselves to test, so as to assist the government in containing the spread of the virus,� he stated.

He announced the closure of markets with effect from tomorrow; and commencement of screening at all its 10 land borders in addition to the ban on all public gatherings.

Fayemi, who doubles as the NGF chairman, announced yesterday on his Facebook page that he had gone on self-isolation following his contact with some persons who had tested positive.

He urged the people not to panic over the development, saying he took the precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

Fayemi’s counterpart in Nasarawa State said he selfisolated following his contact with Kyari on March 14 at the wedding ceremony of the son of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu.

However, Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, refuted claims that Governor Yahaya Bello tested positive to the virus.

NGF Director General, Mr. Asishana Okauru, and his wife, a former Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Ifueko, have also self-isolated after having contacts with some persons that have tested positive to the virus.

In a statement signed by him, Okauru said: "I wish

to inform the general public that my wife together with my entire household will be proceeding on self-isolation.

"We are taking this action following my exposure to His Excellency, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, who today announced the positive outcome of his test for COVID-19. “My wife and I would be undergoing COVID-19 testing this week."

He said he attended different meetings of the NGF and the Nigerian Economic Council (NEC) last week, which were also attended

by Mohammed.

Nigeria’s Cases Climb to 51 in Eight States, FCT An update by the NCDC showed that five more cases were recorded yesterday, bringing the total number in the country to 51 in eight states and the FCT. The NCDC said two of the cases were recorded in FCT; two in Lagos; and one in Rivers.

"Three are returning travellers into Nigeria and two are close contacts of a confirmed case," NCDC said.

So far, Lagos has 32 cases, FCT 10, Ogun three, Ekiti one, Oyo one, Edo one, Bauchi one, Osun one and Rivers one.

While 48 persons are presently in isolation receiving treatment, two of the cases have been successfully treated and discharged and one person died on Monday.

20 Osun Judges on Self-isolation Osun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Rafiu Isamotu, also yesterday confirmed that 20 judges from the state who recently returned from Dubai, the United Arab Emirates were on self-isolation.

He said the judges went into isolation shortly after they arrived in the state pending when their medical status would be ascertained.

Isamotu spoke on the sidelines of a press conference in Osogbo, where the governor told journalists about the index case in the state.

CBN Directs Noncritical Staff to Work from Home Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed its staff in non-critical roles to stay at home and work remotely effective yesterday.

It, however, said it remained fully operational despite the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic that has seen most public institutions scale down their operations.

The banking sector regulator, in a statement by its Director, Corporate Communications, Mr. Isaac Okorafor, said: “Following the current impact of the

Coronavirus (COVID-19) on the global economy coupled with efforts by the Nigerian government, including partial lockdown in some states and at the federal level, to check the spread of the virus in Nigeria, the CBN wishes to inform stakeholders and members of the Nigerian public that the bank will remain open for business during this period.�

According to him, as a responsible public institution and regulator, the CBN has triggered its business continuity plans to ensure that its operations remain undisrupted at this present time when social distancing has become key to checking the further spread of the virus.

He said the CBN had directed deposit money banks (DMBs) and other financial institutions to do the same, adding that the welfare and safety of staff and their families, and indeed all Nigerians, remain a top priority to the central bank.

World Bank to Deploy $150bn for Economic Recovery The World Bank Group has expressed its readiness to deploy about $150 billion over the next 15 months to stimulate economic recovery of countries affected by the pandemic.

The pandemic has led to unprecedented disruptions to global supply chains, sharp drop in global crude oil prices, turmoil in global stock and financial markets, and lockdown of large swaths movements of persons in many countries, among others.

These outcomes have had severe consequences on households’ livelihoods and business activities, resulting from a drop in global demand, declined consumer confidence and a slowdown in production.

The World Bank Group President, Mr. David Malpass in his remarks from the G20 Finance Ministers conference call on the COVID-19 pandemic said these were difficult times for all, especially for the poorest and most vulnerable.

For the World Bank Group, he said the first goal is to provide prompt support during the crisis, based on a country’s needs.

He noted that it was vital for governments of countries affected by the pandemic to shorten the time of recovery and create confidence that the recovery can be strong.

Malpass noted the bank is currently restructuring existing projects in 23 countries.

Testing Positive Not Death Sentence, Says Presidency The presidency yesterday in Abuja said testing positive to the virus was not a death

CBN UNVEILS MODALITIES TO DISBURSE N100BN HEALTHCARE CREDIT SUPPORT facilities; for medical and pharmaceutical suppliers.

The circular said the loan limit would include 20 per cent of the working capital of the average of three years of a company’s turnover, subject to a maximum of N500 million per obligor and the maximum term of the loan shall be N2 billion per obligor.

Also, interest and principal repayment shall be made on installment basis by the borrowers to the participating financial institutions (PFIs), according to the approved repayment schedule.

In addition, the eligible PFIs shall be the commercial banks and development finance institutions,

“The PFI shall remit interests and principal repayments received to the scheme on quarterly basis. A corporate entity shall submit an application to the PFIs of its choice with a bankable business plan. PFI shall appraise and conduct due diligence on the application. “Upon approval by the

PFI’s credit committee, the application shall be submitted to the CBN with relevant documents attached. The CBN will process disburse funds to the PFIs for onward release to the project,� the CBN added.

To ensure effective monitoring and reporting of the funds when disbursed, the bank stated that periodic joint

monitoring of the activities financed under the scheme would be conducted by the PFIs and the CBN. It, however, warned that delay and non-release of the funds to beneficiaries within the agreed timeline on the offer letter shall attract penalty at the PFI’s maximum lending rate.

sentence, adding that the State House, like the entire country, is under a partial lockdown but not completely shut.

Speaking on the turn of events in the Presidential Villa, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said the seat of power was not shut down but its activities were on a low key. “Well, things are a bit on a low key. It doesn’t mean that the State House is shut down. It’s just that things are a bit on the low key just like the rest of the country.

"The rest of the country is also on a low key. There is a partial lockdown in most parts of the country. So, what is happening at the State House can also be called a partial lockdown but not a complete lockdown,� Adesina said.

Asked to confirm the report that Buhari tested negative for COVID-19, Adesina pushed the question back to the reporter and made his remarks on the basis of the reporter's submission.

"What did you hear about the result?� he asked the reporter. “They say it's negative," the reporter responded.

Then, Adesina retorted: “Good. So, that calls for rejoicing with him. Anybody that does the test and tests negative, we will rejoice with that person, and anybody that does it and tests positive, it’s not a death sentence.

"We also would pray along with the person. Give the person our goodwill and best wishes and they will surely come out of it. Even the index case in Nigeria recovered and has been discharged.�

Adesina also spoke on the suspension of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting, saying the meeting was suspended because over 50 people attend the forum every week and the number exceeds the specification for convergence this season.

On the decision pruning number of State House correspondents, he said the number of correspondents was large and contravened the current rule prohibiting more than 50 people from congregating at a place.

Prince Charles Tests Positive for Continued on page 9

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NGN NGN 0.12 1.32 0.50 5.65 0.04 0.48 0.05 0.60 0.02 0.24 NGN 10.70 96.30 0.38 3.47 0.04 0.45 FCMB 0.06 1.50 MTNN 3.00 100.00 HPE Nestle Nig Plc â‚Ś800.00 Volume: 233.474 million shares Value: N2.239 billion Deals: 3,874 As at yesterday 25/03/2020 See details on Page 39

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9

THURSDAY, ÍşÍžËœ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

NEWS

AtikuPledgesN50mtoFightCOVID-19 Urges FG to pay each household N10,000 Chuks Okocha in Abuja Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has pledged N50 million to a coronavirus relief fund for Nigerians.

He announced this in a statement he issued yesterday.

He said the donation was being made on his behalf by Priam Group to form part of the stimulus package the federal government should create for Nigerians. “I commend all individuals and corporate organisations, who have one way or the other provided some form of relief for the Nigerian people. I further call on more corporations and individuals with capacity, to assist the public in these trying times. “To this end, Priam Group pledges N50 million on

my behalf as my humble contribution to a relief fund that will form part of the stimulus package.�

Atiku has also urged the federal government to put in place palliative measures to help Nigerians survive the economic crisis that may come with the pandemic.

He said the government should distribute at least N10,000 to each Nigerian household to help them acquire food, while telecommunication companies should hand free airtime to subscribers. “A large percentage of our people do not have the financial capacity to withstand long periods of self-isolation and even lockdown,� he said “It is, therefore, incumbent on the federal and state

governments to provide palliatives to the Nigerian people to enable them survive, even as they abide by these necessary measures put in place for their own safety. “At an approximate 30 million households or thereabouts, government should devise modalities to distribute N10,000 as supplement for food stuff to each household, among other palliative measures, with no one left behind. “It is thus time for the National Assembly to reconvene in an emergency session, perhaps by teleconference (in line with the demands of social distancing), to legislate a Stimulus Package Act that will cater for all Nigerian citizens. “I also call on all Mobile

Telephony Companies in Nigeria to urgently develop mobile money platforms so that government can reach the unbanked with financial assistance.

“I also urge these telecommunications firms to offer each of the 100 million mobile phone lines in Nigeria free credit of at least 1500 per mobile line, so that Nigerians

who show symptoms, or those who just want information, can call the nearest available health facility, or even an ambulance service, as the case may be,� he said.

MINISTERS TO TAKE TESTS AS COVID-19 BITES HARDER, SPREADS TO EIGHT STATES

COVID-19 Meanwhile, Prince Charles has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a statement from the Buckingham Palace.

The 71-year-old and his wife, Camilla, who does not have COVID-19, are currently self-isolating in Scotland.

It stated: “The Prince of Wales has tested positive for coronavirus “He has been displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health and

has been working from home throughout the last few days as usual. “The Duchess of Cornwall (Camilla) has also been tested but does not have the virus. “In accordance with government and medical advice, the prince and the duchess are now self-isolating at home in Scotland.� The couple was tested by the state-run National Health Service (NHS) in Aberdeen shire in northeast Scotland, it said. “It is not possible to

ascertain from whom the prince caught the virus owing to the high number of engagements he carried out in his public role during recent weeks,� it added.

Queen Elizabeth II, 93, and her husband Prince Philip, 98, retired to Windsor Castle, outside London, on March 19.

They brought forward their Easter break by a week because of the pandemic.

Britain has more than 8,000 confirmed cases of the disease, and 422 people have died.

have advised the federal government to disclose sectors and line items to be affected by the planned N1.5 trillion cut in the 2020 budget.

While backing the proposed reduction in the fiscal plan following the global impact of COVID-19 pandemic, they also advised the government to lay emphasis on cutting administrative capital while boosting developmental capital.

In separate interviews with THISDAY, a former CBN Deputy Governor, Dr. Obadiah Mailafia and the Lead Director, Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), Eze Onyekpere, said the planned budget cut was inevitable, but urged the federal government to reveal sectors the budget cut would affect.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved a 20 per cent cut in capital expenditure in the 2020 budget as well as a 25 per cent reduction in recurrent expenditure.

The drop in crude oil price from the $57 budget benchmark to about $25 per barrel also compelled the FEC to lower the benchmark to $30 per barrel.

Reacting to the decisions, Mailafia said: "I believe these are realistic measures. But it would have been good to know the sectors that are being affected by the budget cuts.

"There are notorious areas of consumption that I think must not be our priorities.

On the other hand, social programmes that focus on the poor and vital infrastructure projects ought to be a priority."

On the recent alarm raised by the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari, that Nigerians should brace up for at least three months of tough times following the plunge in oil price and lack of demand for the Nigerian crude, Mailafia stated that "he who wears the shoes knows where it pinches."

He stated: "If the NNPC Group Managing Director raised such alarm, who are we not to cry wolf with him?

The GMD was lamenting the fact that hundreds of

oil tankers from our shores are wandering aimlessly in the Atlantic Ocean, with nowhere to go.

"Some of the biggest buyers in Europe and Asia are in a complete economic lockdown. Europe has closed its borders. When societies face life-and-death choices, business often has to take a back seat. This is the drama that is unfolding at present."

Onyekpere also told THISDAY that the decision to cut capital expenditure in the 2020 budget was inevitable considering the plunge in oil revenue.

He said: "The drop in crude oil price from the $57 budget benchmark to about $25 per was not anticipated by the crafters of the 2020 federal budget. But this should not be the situation.

"The crafters of the budget have consistently failed, refused and neglected to accompany the budget with a Fiscal Risk Appendix as provided in section 19 (f) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA). Apriori, the Fiscal Risk Appendix evaluates the fiscal and other related risks to the annual budget (including the revenue framework) and specifies measures to be taken to offset the occurrence of such risks as well as measures to be taken when the risks crystallise.

"Thus, this decision made in a rather knee-jerk manner should have been subjected to empirical simulations, projects and analysis at the design stage of the budget."

Onyekpere, a leading analyst on fiscal matters, advised that the federal government’s proposed budget cut should concentrate on administrative capital while boosting developmental capital.

He described the administrative capital as capital investments to enhance the bureaucracy and the smooth running of government, while developmental capital refers to investments that impact on the overall quality of life, and ease of doing business, among others, of the majority of Nigerians.

He identified these to include construction of roads, hospitals, education facilities, and power sector investments, among others.

N'ASSEMBLY LEADERS MEET MINISTERS, CBN GOV OVER 2020 BUDGET REVIEW National Assembly, which had adjourned plenary for two weeks on Tuesday to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the legislative complex, may reconvene next week to consider a downward review of the budget in view of the downward slide of the international oil market.

Analysts have, however, advised the federal government to disclose sectors and line items to be affected by the planned N1.5 trillion budget cut.

Sources told THISDAY that the leadership of both the Senate and the House of Representatives were under pressure to reconvene next week to review the 2020 Appropriation Act. The presidency was said to have prepared a supplementary budget, which it intends to present to the two chambers through Ahmed.

The proposed budget review is said to have been based on oil benchmark of $30 per barrel unlike the $57 benchmark used for the 2020 budget passed by the National Assembly last December.

The federal government recently announced its decision to reduce the N10.59 trillion 2020 budget by N1.5 trillion, due to the drastic fall in the price of crude oil in the international market caused by the outbreak of COVID-19 and trade war between Russia and Saudi Arabia.

In a telephone conversation with THISDAY yesterday, Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, said the review of the 2020 budget was one of the urgent national issues and the lawmakers might reconvene if necessary.

"Like it was pointed out in the speaker’s remarks, the two-week break is not a holiday and members will be asked to reconvene if there is any national issue in need of a quick legislative intervention.

"The review of the 2020 budget in view of the current state of the global economic realities necessitated by the coronavirus pandemic, to me appears like one of those urgent national issues. Though I am yet to be formally briefed by

the leadership on whether or not we will be back by next week, most of the members are in town and will reconvene if called upon."

The need for the legislators to reconvene was said to have informed why the leadership of the National Assembly yesterday met with some ministers and heads of agencies from the executive arm of government to brainstorm on the impact of the pandemic on the economy.

The meeting touched on the planned review of the 2020 budget and the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper passed late last year by the National Assembly.

President of the Senate, who also doubles as the Chairman of the National Assembly, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, who presided over the meeting, said an immediate review of the 2020 budget and Medium Term Expenditure Framework was imperative, particularly against the backdrop of the impact of coronavirus on global economy.

The meeting, which lasted for about four hours, according to Lawan, was summoned to “discuss the proposed review of the 2020 budget and the Medium Term Expenditure Framework.� “If we have to review the budget itself, we have to consider the MTEF/FSP. Even in sickness, we need government to provide services. The impact of COVID-19 is well known to all of us in terms of health and the economy. “Here, we will be talking of revenues that we estimated to fund the budget 2020.

Because the oil price has gone so low due to the impact of COVID-19, the Minister of State (Petroleum Resources) should be able to tell us where we will be in the next six months or so. “We should have concepts that can deliver fast and are sustainable. Anything that we do that cannot provide succour and relief to our people will lead to catastrophe,� the Senate President stated.

On his part, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, described the meeting as

timely.

"Taking a cursory look at some of the papers (presentations), I think this meeting is actually very timely and very important because we live in very unusual time and it's time we start thinking outside the box to see how we can stabilise our economy and the direction it's going to take," the speaker said.

Earlier, Ahmed had explained that “prior to COVID-19 and oil price decline, the Nigerian economy was already fragile and vulnerable.�

According to her, due to the global economic downturn precipitated by the impact of the coronavirus, international oil prices plunged as low as $22 per barrel on the international market.

She added that the impact of the pandemic, which resulted in international crisis, created a disruption in travel and trade and put “increasing pressure on the naira and foreign reserves as the crude oil sales receipts decline and the country’s micro-economic outlook worsens."

She said in view of Nigeria’s economic realities, the Crisis Management Committee constituted by President Muhammadu Buhari in response to the COVID-19 and Oil Price Decline Crisis expressed concern that “the decline in international oil prices or domestic production may be magnified if a severe outbreak of the pandemic occurs in Nigeria.�

She, therefore, proposed a review of the 2020 budget using a $30 per barrel price benchmark as against the $57 initially passed in December by the National Assembly, to prepare for the worst case scenario, as well as insulate the Nigeria economy against any form of unexpected crisis.

Ahmed added that the revenue collection target for the Nigeria Customs Service has been reduced from N1.5 trillion to N943 billion “due to anticipated reduction in trade volumes; and privatisation proceeds to be cut by 50 per cent, based on the adverse economic outlook on sales of the Independent Power Projects

(IPPs) and other assets.�

The federal government would also cut revenuerelated expenditures for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for several projects included in the 2020 Appropriation Act. Ahmed said: “The federal government is working on Fiscal Stimulus Measures to provide fiscal relief for taxpayers and key economic sectors; incentivise employers to retain and recruit staff during the economic downturn; stimulate investment in critical infrastructure; review non-essential tax waivers to optimise revenues and compliment monetary and trade interventions to respond to the crisis."

In addition, the federal government has made provision for health sector interventions by introducing import duty waivers for essential input for pharmaceutical firms; tax waivers on new equipment and deferment of tax to increase production.

Ahmed added that the federal government would release N6.5 billion in two tranches (N1.5 billion and N5 billion) to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as intervention to assist in the fight against the spread of COVID-19.

She stated that Lagos State Government would receive N10 billion support from the federal government to combat coronavirus spread in the state.

In addition, she informed the lawmakers that Nigeria had received a grant of $18.2 million from Japan towards strengthening seven NCDC centres across the country.

Also, N1 billion would be released by government to pharmaceutical firms in the country to stimulate production.

In his presentation, Emefiele said “while we would expect to see a decline in our expected growth projection for 2020 relative to 2019, the exact impact will be dependent on how well the coronavirus is contained over the next few month, and how long low oil prices persist.�

Analysts Seek Details of Budget Cut Meanwhile,

analysts

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THURSDAYMARCH 26, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

COVID-19 UPDATE...

COVID-19 UPDATE...

COVID-19: FG Deploys Nigerian Researchers to Search for Cure Martins Ifijeh The federal government has deployed Nigerian science

researchers to search for cure for COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking exclusively with THISDAY, the Director

Bauchi Gov Didn’t Meet with Dangote, Says State Govt The Bauchi State Government has debunked reports making the round on social media that President of the Dangote Foundation, Alh. Aliko Dangote met with the state Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed.

The state government described the reports as misleading in a press statement made available to journalists in Bauchi yesterday by the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media, Mr. Mukhtar Gidado.

Gidado clarified that Mohammed met with Dangote at his headquarters in Lagos before meeting the son of former Vice President, Mohammed Atiku Abubakar in an aircraft.

“The attention of the Bauchi State Government has been drawn to misleading news report making the rounds that the state governor net with the President of Dangote

Foundation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote after his contact with the son of former Vice President, Mohammed Atiku Abubakar’. ”We want to put it on record that Governor Bala Mohammed and his officials met with Alh. Aliko Dangote at his headquarters, Lagos at 1p.m., had lunch and met afterwards with Mohammed Atiku Abubakar at 6p.m. in the aircraft where they shook hands and sat next to each other separated by the isle in the business sector.”

He, therefore, advised the social media platforms to always cross-check their facts to avoid creating unnecessary panic.

Meanwhile, the governor while given an update concerning his health status has said that he is doing fine in isolation with no symptoms of the virus.

General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu said three federal government agencies are working hard to contribute to scientific knowledge and solutions for COVID-19.

The three agencies are the Nigerian Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), Nigerian Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development

(NIPRD), and the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Chikwe said: “Nigeria’s research agencies have announced that they are working hard, to contribute to scientific knowledge and solutions for COVID-19.”

He said on the international scene, the global community was also

working very hard to identify treatment for the disease.

He said: “The World Health Organisation (WHO) is leading the efforts on clinical trials in some countries. This will enable us validate the safety and efficacy of drugs for COVID-19.

“There have been early promising results and we look forward to final validation. In addition,

clinical trials began March 17 for a potential vaccine.

This effort is coordinated by THE Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI) which is one of our close partners at NCDC. “We are involved in these discussions, especially to ensure equitable access when solutions such as vaccines and drugs for treatment are available,” he added.

Oyo Govt to Close Borders The Oyo State Government has revealed that it may likely impose travel restrictions at the state’s entry points, as part of measures for containing the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.

The Executive Chairman, Oyo State Road Transport Management Authority (OYRTMA), Dr. Akin Fagbemi said yesterday during an interview at COVID-19 situation Room on a popular radio station in Ibadan.

The Executive Chairman said, the state government would only allow essential travels into the state, which would be subjected to thorough health checks.

He said “All entry points into Oyo State (land and airways) may soon be closed. Entry and

transit by any vehicle would be subjected to robust health check of all passengers”.

Fagbemi revealed that OYRTMA has prepared for the challenging times, the state is in, and has put efforts in place to closely monitor the State’s borders.

Noting that the transportation sector could be a major carrier of COVID-19, if not properly managed, Fagbemi called on transport companies, transport unions and terminal operators to keep a travel manifest for inbound and outbound passengers, especially verified phone numbers.

Urging them to provide hand-wash stands and sanitizers in their garages, he called on

passengers to cooperate with them by washing their hands with soap and water and sanitise them before boarding, adding that recalcitrant passengers should be denied boarding if they fail to comply with the hygiene procedures.

“Relevant enforcement officials would be authorized to enforce compliance, while defaulters will be arrested”, he added.

Fagbemi said that operations of commercial motorcycle operators would be suspended, noting that this will not only discourage people from coming to the public space indiscriminately, but also ensure compliance with the social distancing procedures in the State.

The OYRTMA boss also said

his agency would collaborate with other security agencies to enforce compliance to preventive measures put in place by the state government, using various task-forces.

While he solicited everyone’s prayers from the safety of their homes, he advised residents to comply with the state government’s orders on social distancing, by suspending all social, cultural and religious activities.

Fagbemi equally commended media houses in the state on their awareness and sensitisation efforts, but called for intensified jingles aimed at sensitizing residents on the scourge of the virus and how to curb its spread.

11

THURSDAY MARCH 26, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

COVID-19 UPDATE...

COVID-19 UPDATE...

Chloroquine Not Approved for COVID-19, Says NCDC The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has advised Nigerians against the use of chloroquine and its derivatives for the management of the

ravaging COVID-19 pandemic.

In a post on its official twitter handle, NCDC warned Nigerians against self-medication, stressing that

Kogi Gov Orders Closure of All Entry Points Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State yesterday rolled out stringent measures to curb the incursion of COVID-19 into the state.

Bello in a statement issued on his behalf by the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, ordered the immediate closure of all entry points, including land and waterways, among other measures.

It warned that violators of the directives risk arrest.

The statement read: “The Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, hereby issues the following directives to guide the response of Government and citizens to the stark realities of the coronavirus outbreak.

“All entry points into Kogi State (land and waterways) are now closed. Entry and transit by any vehicle is subject to successful health check of all passengers.

“To prevent avoidable delays, which may extend to preventive quarantining, persons with any disease condition which mimics CORVID-19 symptoms, including elevated temperatures, should have a medical report from a reputable hospital/medical practitioner explaining their condition before venturing through the state.

Directive shutting all educational institutions in the state, both public and private, from Monday, March 23, 2020 remains in effect until further notice.

“Civil servants on Grade

Level 1-13, except those on specified essential services (medical personnel, revenue officers, law enforcement) are to remain at home and away from work till advised otherwise.

“All social, cultural and religious activities are hereby suspended and essential activities must not have a crowd beyond 5 persons. We solicit everyone’s prayers from the safety of their homes.

“Tricycle (keke) operators may carry only one passenger at a time and must provide hand sanitizers for use by their passengers. Relevant officials are empowered to stop and enforce compliance. Defaulters will be arrested.

“Regular four-wheeled taxis may carry only three passengers at a time (one in front and two behind) and must provide hand sanitisers for use by their passengers. Relevant officials are empowered to stop and enforce compliance. Defaulters will be arrested.

“Buses may carry only two passengers per row of seats, subject to a maximum of 10 passengers per trip for any type of bus. Relevant officials are empowered to stop and enforce compliance. Defaulters will be arrested.

“All public areas, pubs, bars and restaurants are limited to five customers at a time, seated apart in line with the social distancing guidelines.

Operators and customers are advised to utilise delivery and takeaway options more during this period.

Police to Enforce Masari’s Order in Katsina The Katsina State Police Command yesterday vowed to ensure full compliance to the directive of the state governor, Hon. Aminu Bello Masari on measures aimed at curtailing the spread of COVID-19 in the state Speaking on behalf of the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Buba Sanusi, at the command’s headquarter in Katsina, the Police Public Relationship Officer, Mr. Gambo Isah, disclosed that the CP has directed superior officers to release all bailable suspects in their detention.

He further warned against unnecessary detention of suspects in station so as to prevent spread of the virus.

He said, “It is pertinent and imperative at this moment to reiterate the commitment of the Katsina state Police Command, under the leadership of CP Sanusi Buba, on the measures taken by the state governor

and the Inspector-General of Police aimed at containing the COVID-19, pandemic.’’

“There should be a total ban on social gathering and events in the state and businesses organisations were expected to provide hand sanitizers or sterilise water for washing of hands before entry of any person into their premises and to provide equipment for checking of temperatures’’.

“Area Commanders/DPOs/ CID/SARS/SIB have been directed to release on bail all suspects whose offences are bail-able and also to avoid unnecessary detention of suspects.”

He then called members of the public to minimize their movement and stay in their respective homes to avoid contracting the virus, adding that they can reach the command through the following emergency lines: 08156977777, 09053872247, 08075391255

the use of chloroquine is yet to be approved or validated.

The tweet says, “Please

remember that the use of chloroquine and its derivatives for the

management of coronavirus disease has NOT been validated and approved.

Self-medication can cause harm and lead to death. Do not misuse drugs”

Bauchi Closes Markets, Public Places Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi The Bauchi State Government has shut down all markets across the state with effect from March 26 (today).

The Chairman of the State Outbreak Response Committee on Lassa Fever and COVID-19, Senator Baba Tela announced this yesterday while briefing journalists at the Government House, Bauchi.

The state deputy governor said the move was part of government’s efforts to minimise

social interaction over the pandemic.

“This directive is in line with the earlier decision of the State Government, which had restricted any gathering that is more than 50 people.

“Pharmacies, sellers of food items, super markets selling essential products, filling stations and Bakeries are to remain open but they should adhere strictly to the instructions given on environmental cleanliness and hygiene to reduce the spread

of the virus.”

He enjoined officials of the State Chapter, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to direct their members to observe the rules on passengers of not more than three people per vehicle.

He also advised them to provide hand sanitisers to their passengers by complying with the new policy of social-distancing, and called for the support of stakeholders to achieve the desired objectives.

The chairman added that the committee has since sent request to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control for an approval to purchase treatment kits.

He therefore appealed to the citizens of the state to provide the committee with the needed information for immediate action.

Tela therefore assured citizens of the state of the readiness and determination of the state government to strengthen the capacity of its medical personnel to deal with emergency.

Enugu Kicks off Awareness Campaigns In compliance with the proactive safety measures adopted by the Enugu State Government in response to the COVID-19 ravaging the world, the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Local Government Council Chairmen in the state, have embarked on awareness campaigns across the state to enlighten the people on how to prevent transmission of the deadly disease.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, yesterday, addressed state residents on measures adopted by

Otti Donates Kits, Isolation Centre to Abia Hospitals Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia The leader of the Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr. Alex Otti, has joined the fight against COVID-19 as he donated medical kits to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia, the state capital, and two faith-based hospitals for use in managing coronavirus cases in the state.

Otti said he was moved to intervene because “the advent of the coronavirus pandemic has exposed how unprepared we are to respond to emergency situations in our dear state.

“Our enquiries have revealed that we are not very prepared in the state should this pandemic hit us. This is in spite of the claims made by the state government in the last couple of days.”

Presently, there are no facilities for testing for the COVID-19 in Abia and other states in the Southeast zone as the federal government did not deem it fit to site any of the existing testing centres in the zone.

“While we do not quarrel with the role of God in situations like this, we would want to remind us that God helps those who help themselves,” Otti said.

Making the donation through his foundation, the Alex Otti Foundation, the

his administration to prevent the disease.

The governor also announced additional proactive safety measures, following the escalating threat of the pandemic globally, and shut down all educational institutions in the state with immediate effect.

He directed all public officers/civil servants to work from their homes except health workers, Forest

Guards, Neighbourhood Watch personnel, Water Corporation staff, Waste Management operatives, staff of Enugu State Emergency Management Agency, Fire Fighters and all those involved in other essential services. All cultural and social gatherings in the state including marriage ceremonies, burial ceremonies, masquerade festivals, drinking bars, night clubs and all group sporting and recreational activities, were

also suspended.

The governor equally directed all Local Government Council Chairmen to mobilise their Environmental and Community Health Workers to sustain the ongoing public enlightenment on protocol for prevention of the COVID-19 transmission in the markets and parks, stating that all public transport operators in the state are to observe the new rules on passenger conveyance in each instance.

12

THURSDAY MARCH 26, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Gunmen Force Housewife to Cook, Abduct Husband Omon-Julius Onabu inAsaba Gunmen have abducted a young man in Okpanam within the Delta State capital after allegedly eating

the rice they forced the abductee’s wife to cook for them.

The incident was said to have occurred while it was raining heavily in most parts of the state,

... Kill Five in Fresh Attack on Plateau Village Seriki Adinoyi in Jos Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen on Tuesday night killed five persons in Kwal district of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau state.

THISDAY gathered that the victims were killed in two separate attacks in Kperie and Gbra Zongo communities, both in Kwal.

The assailants first killed three children from the same family in Gbra Zongo village before moving to the neighbouring Kperie community where they also killed two women.

An uncle to the deceased children, Mr. Danjuma Anthony, confirmed the killings in Gbra Zongo village, and gave the names of the deceased children as Rachel, six years; Jacob, three years; and Charity, one and a half years.

Anthony said: “The family is in pains because those killed during the attack in Gbra Zongo were the children of my younger brother. The children

were just sleeping in their hose around 9:45 p.m. when the gunmen who were about three came and killed them.

“The father was not at home because he had gone on security patrol of the community while the wife who was at home was sleeping in another room.

This kind of unprovoked attack and killing of innocent children only shows the level of insecurity our people are facing in the community. It’s really unfortunate.”

Rogo Friday also confirmed the killing of the two women in Kperie community saying, “The women were not from the community. They came to sympathise with a family in the community and that is how they met their death during the attack. He added that others, including a youth who sustained injuries inflicted on them by the gunmen have been taken to the hospital.

The Plateau State Police Command was yet to make any public statement regarding the killings.

Pilgrims Board Executive Secretary Bags Five-year Jail Term Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja For converting the sum of 69.2 million received to execute pilgrims operation in Israel to his personal use, the Executive Secretary of the Adamawa Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Dr. Jinga Mayo, is to spend the next five years in jail.

The judgment of the Adamawa State High Court, presided over by Justice Nathan Musa, was in a case brought before it by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

ICPC had arraigned Mayo before the court on a three-count charge for embezzlement, and for making false statement.

In count one, he was charged for knowingly furnishing false return of the sum of 69.198, 600 received by him to pay committee members of the Adamawa State Christian Pilgrims Board for 2016 pilgrims operations in Israel, which he did not pay but for which he returned duly signed payment vouchers and acknowledgement of receipts of the payment by each member of the said committee when in fact he did not made such payment, contrary to and punishable under Section 16 of the Corrupt

Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

In count two, he was accused of conferring corrupt advantage upon himself, contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, when he received the sum of 69.198, 600.00 cash from the Board’s Accounts Department in order to pay the committee members of the Adamawa State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board for 2016 pilgrims exercise in Israel which he did not pay but converted to his personal use and falsely claimed that the said money was used to pay for an agricultural training conducted in Israel.

While in count three, Dr. Mayo was charged for knowingly making false statement to an officer of the ICPC, contrary to Section 25 (1 (a) and punishable under Section 25 (1 (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

In his judgment, Justice Nathan Musa, found him guilty only on two counts and acquitted him on one. He was sentenced to five years imprisonment on the 2nd count without an option of fine, and six months imprisonment on the 3rd count with an option of N50, 000. He is however to spend five years in prison, as the sentence is to run concurrently.

including Okpanam in Oshimili North and neighbouring Asaba in Oshilmili South areas on Monday night.

The wife of the kidnapped man, identified simply as Mrs Joseph, who narrated her ordeal claimed that all efforts to get the police for assistance was unsuccessful as the

Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the local police station allegedly told her it was too late in the day.

The woman, who said that she suspected the gunmen to be Fulani herdsmen because of their language, said their apartment in Graceland Estate in Okpanam was

also ransacked by the criminals during the downpour, adding that they carted away her husband’s shoes, clothes, phones, ATM cards and her jewelry.

She said that the gunmen came in through the window, which they asked the husband to open and then began to order them

about at gun-point.

“They brought my husband out under the rain and asked him to lie down and they took me inside and asked me to prepare rice for them which I did. Then they took all my husband shoes, clothes, phones, ATM Cards and all my jewelry.

WORKING IN SELF-ISOLATION…

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, working in self-isolation at his private residence in Benin City…yesterday

Court Convicts Ex-NNPC Official over N6bn Fraud The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Kaduna Zonal Office has secured the conviction of one Abdulkadir Mohammed Salihu, a former Sales Assistant of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Kaduna Depot.

He was arraigned on threecount charge bordering on fraud to the tune of N6 billion, before Justice Z. B Abubakar of the Federal High Court in Kaduna State.

Salihu who was in charge of loading manifest at the Kaduna Depot of the NNPC, was arrested

on 29th October, 2019 and arraigned today, Wednesday, March 25, 2020.

He pleaded guilty to the three count charges when it was read to him, paving way for EFCC prosecution lawyer, Deborah Ademu-Eteh to ask for sentencing accordingly.

Trouble began for the convict when several petitions against him were submitted to the Kaduna Zonal office of the EFCC and upon investigation, it was discovered that he conspired with other marketers to lift petroleum products without payment at

NNPC deport, Kaduna State worth over N6 billion.

Following his guilty plea, Justice Abubakar sentenced the suspect to a term of three years imprisonment with an option of fine to the tune of N1 million.

The accused, according to the Judge, will also forfeit the following items: One unit of three bedroom apartment and one unit of two bedroom boy’s quarter situated at 2 Kpak close, off College Road, Kurmin Mashin, Kaduna; One-storey building containing four bedrooms and one bedroom self-contain with

its appurtenances situated at 4 Kpak close, off College Road, Kurmin Mashin, Kaduna.

Others are: One unit of three bedroom apartment with two parlours and one self-contain bedroom situated at 6 Kpak close, off College Road, Kurmin Mashin, Kaduna; a water factory known as Ummus Water and Drinks Ltd, situated at Birnin Yero, Igabi Local Government in Kaduna; One Fuel Station with four pumps with the name: Aminu and Salihu Ltd, situated at Sabon Gayan, Panturawa, along Saminaka, Jos Road, Kaduna.

IBEDC Promises Uninterrupted Services Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has re-stated its commitment to ensuring regular power supply in the event of a national shutdown due to COVID-19 in Nigeria.

The distribution company said that COVID-19 would not cripple its performance of its statutory

duty as the management is prepared to service its esteemed customers through various online platforms for payment, vending of power and resolving customers’ complaints.

The company, in its bid to help prevent the spread of COV-19, is alwso scaling down

people presence in its business locations by limiting physical interactions between employees and customers.

The management of IBEDC also instructed all customer relationship officers, commercial line workers and any other employee that interfaces with the

customer to stop their activities immediately until they are well equipped to handle the situation.

Similarly, gloves, hand sanitisers and medical masks have been distributed across its franchise to ensure the safety of all the staff on essential duties.

Alleged Forgery: Court Orders ICPC to Review Obono-Obla’s Bail Conditions A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to vary the conditions it attached to the bail it granted suspended Chairman of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIP), Ekoi Obono-Obla.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed, in a ruling, said should the ICPC fails to comply with the order made, it (the ICPC) will be summoned to show cause why the court should not order the release of applicant from

its custody.

Justice Mohammed made the order while ruling on an ex-patre application filed and argued on Wednesday by Obono-Obla’s lawyer, F. Baba Isa, who prayed the court for the release of his client from ICPC’s custody pending the determination of a substantive suit he filed.

The judge said: “Upon reading the applicant motion exparte, the supporting affidavit and exhibits attached, it is clear that he has already been granted bail.

“The grouse of the applicant is that the conditions attached

are impossible to fulfill in view of the present lock down of the country. It is also clear that the International passport of the applicant is with the respondent.

“It is hereby ordered that the conditions attached to the bail of the applicant be reviewed to enable him meet with same.

“But if the respondent fails to review the bail conditions, it will be directed to appear before the court to show cause why the application for the release of the applicant should not be granted.”

Justice Mohammed ordered that the order of the court,

the hearing notice and other processes be served on the respondent before the next adjourned date fixed for April 1, 2020.

Isa, while arguing the application, told the court that his client is unable to fulfill the above conditions which he described as stringent.

He told the court that although the commission had granted his client an administrative bail, it has attached stringent conditions which can not be met in view of the ravaging coronavirus pandemic.

13

THURSDAY MARCH 26, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Lagos to Discontinue 566 Cases Being Prosecuted by Police The Lagos State Government is seeking to discontinue 566 non-active cases which have been in courts from 2015 below, being prosecuted by the police.

The decision followed the review of the recommendation of the Committee on Decongestion of Non-criminal cases at the State High Courts and Magistrate Courts.

The committee had recommended that where such prosecution at the courts have become impracticable due to delay and its attendant factors or are appropriate for plea bargain or criminal diversion, it should

be discontinued.

According to a statement issued yesterday, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), having critically examined the committee’s first phase review and recommendation, has instructed the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to immediately file a notice of discontinuance in respect of 566 non-active cases, at the registry of the State High Court and Magistrate Court.

He has further directed the immediate commencement of the second phase of the exercise.

The statement signed by Director, Public Affairs, Kayode Oyekanmi, recalled that the Committee on Decongestion of Non-criminal cases was inaugurated on February 21 to review the recommendation of the Fola Arthur-Worrey led Advisory Committee on Police Prosecutorial power in Magistrate Courts.

The Arthur-Worrey led Committee in their communique, recommended that the state government should review the role of Lay Police prosecutors in the criminal justice system of Lagos State.

Declare State of Emergency on COVID-19, Lawmaker Tells Buhari Udora Orizu in Abuja Following the continued rise in the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria, a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Simon Chukwuemeka Atigwe, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency, issue a proclamation of a state of emergency on the pandemic in the country.

Atigwe, who represents Udenu/Igbo Eze North Federal Constituency of Enugu State, said the call by the federal government on Nigerians to prepare for tougher measures to curtail the ongoing spread of the disease is capable of creating panic among the populace, especially the illiterates.

The lawmaker explained that such action would not only help the government in halting the growing outbreak

of the virus but also in ensuring quick recovery of those already infected.

He specifically urged President Buhari to immediately set up an emergency fund to help the country fight the COVID-19.

This, he stressed would further boost several efforts put in place to mitigate the impact of the epidemic on people’s health, their economic lives and that of the country.

Atigwe also called on the federal and state governments to provide standard equipment and facilities at the centres created to cater for the victims.

He also stressed the need for the establishment of testing centres in all the 774 local government across the country with a view to showing adequate preparation to handle any further spread of the disease. “There is need for federal government to do a

little more, beyond closing of airports, schools and sporting event, among other measures.

The government should make the establishment of testing centres in all local government a top priority.

“The non-availability of testing centres in the entire South East and the North before now is not good enough for the country and there is need for adequate preparation by the government in every part of the country. The National Assembly will be willing to approve fund for the federal government to establish the centres and their continued upgrading to the required standards” “Also, standard isolation centres should be built in all states with the support of the Federal Ministry of Health.

Containment is very cheap than cure,” he said

Ikeja Electric Closes Offices Partially to Safeguard Customers, Staff Ikeja Electric Company has announced that no physical transaction of business will take place across its offices in its franchise network for the next one week.

This partial closure is in line with ongoing efforts nationwide to prevent the further spread of the COVID-19 and protect customers and staff of the company.

The electricity distribution company (Disco) said the partial closure, which began on March 24, 2020, is part of precautionary measures that have become necessary in order to safeguard the health of customers and staff by limiting their exposure to COVID-19.

The spread of the virus, according to World Health Organisation (WHO), is believed to be mainly through person-toperson contact which enables respiratory droplets from infected individuals who exhibit or later show symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, breathing difficulty, fever among others, to be transmitted to other persons.

Meanwhile, the company has reassured customers that services, including supply of electricity to customers, fault clearing, online channels for purchase of energy credits and payment of bills, are

unaffected by the temporary closure. Customers can continue to make enquiries or complaints to its Customers Care Team via email, live chat or phone calls.

Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ikeja Electric, Mrs. Folake Soetan, noted that the safety and health of employees and members of the public is a priority to the organisation, “therefore, necessary preventive measures have be taken to avoid possible contact and spread of the virus.”

According to her, “In line with our Customer First, Technology Now policy, all staff carrying out essential services will continue to deliver services in line with globally accepted safety and health requirements, while staff carrying out non-essential services will hereby rely on our remote working channels throughout this period”.

She added: “As a responsible organisation, we hold our customers and staff in high esteem. So, their wellbeing and safety must be prioritised under the circumstance confronting our country and the entire world. The ongoing efforts to control the further spread of the COVID-19 virus are in line with efforts of governments globally to contain the virus.

“At this point, we all need to carefully observe precautionary measures and other safety protocols stipulated by government agencies and health organisations that will protect ourselves and loved ones from the virus. These involve, but not limited to, observing high hygiene by washing our hands often, using hand sanitizers where soap and water are not available, ensuring social distancing, avoiding handshakes and gatherings as well as promptly contacting government agencies in the event of close persons displaying symptoms of the virus.

“Earlier in the month, we had set up specific control measures across our offices to ensure customers and staff are protected from possible exposure to the virus by providing sanitizers at the entrances and using handheld infra-red thermometers to screen customers/visitors and staff. We are keenly following developments across the country and the advice of our government and health institutions as part of concerted efforts to safeguard everyone and to make sure our workplaces remain safe,” she added.

14

T H I S D AY ˞ ˜ Ͱʹ˜ Ͱ͎Ͱ͎

COMMENT

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

CORONAVIRUS TERRORISM AND ITS BLESSINGS Coronavirus is being used to force Euro-Americans into isolated shelters, writes Okello Oculi

W

hen in 2015 Bill Gates called for a movement away from fears of death by nuclear weapons to deaths from future pandemics of unknown viruses, we can assume that military and civilian researchers quickly drew up research proposals for the multi-

billionaire to funds.

It was not that biological weapons were in short supply among NATO and former WARSAW PACT countries; Gates’ anxiety was over unknown viruses for which there were no known cure and vaccines.

The 2020 case of ‘Virus Terrorism’ (which erupted inside China and rapidly crossed territorial boundaries), exploded under a climate of sustained American wrath against China’s growing economic and Information Technology power.

Canada was bullied into arresting and detaining the daughter and top executive of HUAWEI, a major Chinese IT transnational company. American officials are also bullying European countries to deny entries by G5 Internet into their communications networks under the claim that it would benefit China’s spying operations. Trump also seemed to detest prosperity in Europe, Asia and elsewhere.

There were also accusations that China was forcing its Moslem population into ‘’indoctrination camps’’, thereby violating their human right to use their religious belief as a tool for terrorism. A paradox emerged in which President Trump was preventing Moslems from entering his county: accusing them of being carriers of germs of ‘’Islamist terrorism’’, and yet condemning China for denying fertile ideological ground for such terrorism to bloom inside its political space. China may have pre-empted foreign intelligence operatives from harvesting this resource for destabilizing its political and economic structures. The bloom of riots in Hong Kong followed soon.

It is reasonable to associate ‘’Coronavirus’’ with these frontiers of contest between the United States and global prosperity. Narratives by intelligence officers suggest that operatives planted this virus in Wuhan, a city of 10 million inhabitants. The mathematical context is small within China’s billion inhabitants but suitable for effective and likely unstoppable spread. COVID-19’s resemblance with EBOLA’s feeding on human need for mutual contact both in healthy relations and support for those that are ill or dead, would undermine the prime value of community solidarity which is at the core of China’s socialist society. Its subversive value in favour of brutal individualism would make it attractive to its users.

Before the virus sent Italy into a health panic, several American newspapers, including The New York Times, had between 2006 and 2016 reported with alarm about an influx of up to 60,000 Chinese workers into Italy’s textile and leather factories.

NARRATIVES BY INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS SUGGEST THAT OPERATIVES PLANTED THIS VIRUS IN WUHAN, A CITY OF 10 MILLION INHABITANTS

In the face of Trump blocking immigrants, this seemed to promise economic growth for Italy while America’s economy would suffer. Chinese investors were also penetrating Europe in exchange for markets for European industries.

Trump’s anti-China speeches; attacks on Mexicans and other immigrants, including Nigerians, had aroused fascistic jingoism across poor Southern regions and northern states from which factories had migrated to China and Mexico.

Fears of immigrants found followers in Europe and began to undermine the hold on power by liberal democracy.

Bill Gates’ worry about a future virus which would come as a ‘’Pandemic’’ promised a powerful tool for hatred of China as well as panic measures by governments of Italy, France, Spain and Denmark and force Europeans into closing economic activities, thereby weakening economies. Paradoxically it would force emerging workers protests, fascist and anti-immigrant ‘’populists’’ out of street demonstrations and election rallies.

Health officials and television camera journalists have become a branch of the police and soldiers in calls to drive people off streets. ‘’Stay-at-Home’’ commands seek to stem the spread of street protests in demands for higher wages and politics of hate.

Claims of rapid and stubborn spread of the virus allow governments to grab power to force people out of urban structures holding human pools inside schools, colleges, bars, restaurants, streets, cinemas, shopping bazaars, sports arenas and even parliamentary chambers. Demonstrating workers that had seized streets in Paris, London, Chile’s Santiago, and New York are being thrown into joblessness and isolation with poverty. Urban architecture has been declared sites of attack through person- to- person contamination. Grandparents are told to fear their children and grandchildren as agents of death. Moral principles are under attack.

The Oxford-trained Ugandan anthropologist, Okot p’Bitek, mocked Africa’s elites for idiotic imitation of European culture, including: modes of entertainment. In his classic work: ‘’Song of Lawino’’, he celebrated Africans dancing in open spaces under moonlight and fresh air.

He would have hailed Abuja’s residents who eat roasted fish under open skies while replacing, with beer, blood drained out of them by mosquitoes. He would condemn buildings which ignore free sunlight and wind; imitating European designs built to cope with winter cold and short hours of sunlight. Coronavirus is being used to force EuroAmericans into isolated shelters.

African architects must now explode their tropical imagination.

RECHARGING LAKE CHAD Salisu Na’inna Dambatta writes that recharging the Lake will revive hope and restore peace and stability to the region

I

t is in public record that since assuming the Presidency in Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari has been consistent in drawing global attention to the urgent need for recharging Lake Chad, which has shrunken to about 2,000 square miles from its known peak size of around 26, 000 square miles in the 1940s.

However, even as Chairman of the defunct Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), an ad hoc intervention body, he provided money for a detailed study on how to mitigate the factors that led to the dwindling fortunes of the Lake and ways of restoring more of its waters for the benefit of the over 40 million citizens of Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria and Niger whose sources of livelihoods depend on its richness.

The gradual death of Lake Chad over the past 70 years, which is linked to many factors, has aggravated poverty in its Sahelian location where bodies of water have greater significance and value in supporting economic, social and cultural activities.

The activities that support livelihoods on the Lake and its shores include fishing, water transportation and trade, irrigation for all-season food production, animal husbandry on its flood plains and hunting for aquatic animals other than fish.

As these important economic activities dwindled with the shrinking waters of the Lake, the population in its vicinity became restless; the poverty level increased as did

disagreements and open conflicts for the dwindling resources available for a larger, youth-dominated population who seem to have lost hope in an uncertain future.

These youths and some of their equally hopeless elders in the four countries serviced by the Lake became an easy target and prey for interests that foster crisis for global geopolitical advantages, and the huge proven deposits of petroleum and gas in the general area straddled by the Lake.

This gave rise to proxy insurgents’ wars against the four countries of Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Nigeria. All of them have found oil and gas in areas bordering the Lake, which extra-African interests want on the cheap. By creating instability and sponsoring violence in the four countries by using misguided youths under the guise of religion, autonomy, economic inclusion or even quasi independence, those extra-African interests have callously put human lives below their material gains to the detriment of those countries and the wellbeing of their citizenry.

The Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria and the violent agitation for autonomy in Northern Cameroon for example, have been raging and leading to massive destruction of lives and property; disrupting economic activities and deepening poverty, illiteracy, general backwardness and a catastrophic humanitarian situation involving around 7.4 million innocent human beings in those

resource-endowed parts of Africa. “The violence has driven millions from their homes and hampered access to agricultural lands and assets, creating massive humanitarian needs in an area already characterized by food insecurity, poverty and environmental degradation,� according to a report by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO).

The FAO further said in the report: “The Lake Chad Basin is grappling with a complex humanitarian emergency across northeastern Nigeria, Cameroon’s Far North, western Chad and southeastern Niger. In the most affected areas of these four countries, conflict and displacement are adding to other structural factors that are undermining the livelihoods of the population, increasing food insecurity and poverty and diminishing access to basic and social services (water, sanitation, health and education).�

By lending his voice to the cause of recharging Lake Chad, President Muhammadu Buhari is being patriotically dutiful as he seeks solution to the situations that led to gruesome reports by FAO and others.

Raising the US$14 billion estimated cost of building canals and channels, dredging silted courses of River Chari and Logone and pushing water into the trough of the Lake, can contribute in restoring the livelihoods of millions of people. It will end the insurgency for good. It will make it easier for the four countries and those extra-African interests to

benefit from extracting the huge oil and gas endowments that are apparently the main reasons of sponsoring the violence in the Lake Chad Basin.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s engagement with world leaders bilaterally and multilaterally in different fora including the United Nations Organisation (UNO) and consistently urging them to be generous in making financial contribution to the fund needed to recharge Lake Chard should be heeded. This is because reviving the Lake will revive hope, livelihoods, peace and stability to more than 40 million souls. It will end the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in the region and restore the beautiful fauna and flora on the Lake and around its shores for the benefit of humanity.

The recent awareness creation and sensitization visit by the leadership of the Lake Chad Basin Commission to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, during which they emphasised the need to recharge the Lake and tackle the humanitarian crisis, its shrinking and the Boko Haram insurgency, was apt. Indeed, some elements of the proposals by the commission toward ending the insurgency and recharging the Lake would make sustainable recovery, resettlement and reintegration of the people now in humanitarian crisis faster.

Dambatta is a commentator on public affairs

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2020

EDITORIAL DISOBEDIENCE TO COVID-19 PROTOCOLS It is in everyone’s interest for public officials to obey rules and regulations

O

nce again, the impunity with which senior public office holders and top politicians in the country flout simple regulations made for the general well-being of all citizens is worrying.

In recent days, there have been reports that some public officials who returned to Nigeria from countries that have become epicentres of the Coronavirus pandemic are refusing to submit to the mandatory airport screening or self-isolation when they get home, as recommended. With that, they put several people at risk. This is clearly unacceptable.

Nobody is or should be made to believe that he is above the law.

However, we are not surprised. In Nigeria today, special traffic rules apply for the rich and powerful. They run red lights, drive one-way, and indeed erect buildings without the appropriate approvals and supervision. They can have people that they IT IS A SHAME THAT THOSE disagree with (or don’t like) arrested WHO ARE PAID TO MAKE and detained. On LAWS FOR THE GOOD the whole, the OF THE COUNTRY ARE bigger a personalTHE SAME PEOPLE WHO ity in Nigeria, WOULD NOT SUBMIT TO the more likely SIMPLE PROTOCOLS they disobey the law. And so, this contrary behaviour is embraced, observed, and replicated in greater or lesser degree at all levels of our society. As we say here “everyone is a big man in his own house”. The house inevitably becomes too small and, people then seek high office, doing anything to get there. Once there, their behaviour offers nothing in leadership.

Specifically implicated for flouting the screening regulation at the airports for in-coming pas-

sengers are members of the National Assembly and their families.

It is a shame that those who are paid to make laws for the good of the country are the same people who would not submit to simple protocols. Several pertinent questions are begging for answers. Why do Nigerians take pleasure in flouting even the simplest of rules, designed to keep the people safe and secure? Why are those charged with enforcing compliance unable to perform? Why would they rather turn a blind eye to flagrant disobedience of the law? Why have many jettisoned the virtues of honesty and service?

A

T H I S DAY EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI DEPUTY EDITOR YEMI AJAYI, DAVIDSON IRIEKPEN, MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS PATRICK EIMIUHI, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO HEAD, COMPUTER DEPARTMENT PATRICIA UBAKA-ADEKOYA

former House of Representatives’ Speaker once refused to board a British Airways (BA) flight because he was asked by staff of the airlines to present his hand luggage and his person to security screening. Claiming that British Government VIPS would not have to be subjected to such routine screening, the speaker unfortunately did not deem it fit to set an example to others. Interestingly, the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCCA) while commenting on the incident said that only the President, the Vice-President and their wives are exempted from security checks. But the recklessness continues.

At a time of a critical health emergency, we cannot allow a situation where a few people would continue to endanger the rest of us. The behaviour of those who refuse to conform to the protocols established by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to deal with the CODIV-19 pandemic is a metaphor for everything wrong with us as a nation. They should step back from this disastrous path. We urge the security agencies to be alive to their responsibility. Nobody is bigger than the country.

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OLUKOYA: THE NOAH OF OUR TIME

G

od spoke and Noah heard Him: “Make yourself an Ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch.

“And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.”

Genesis 6:14, 17-18 NKJV Noah found unusual grace. It came to pass just as the Lord told him. On December 31, 2019, God spoke and Dr. D. K. Olukoy a heard him. The special occasion was our cross-over night service at MFM Prayer City, Nigeria.

“The world will be restless this year. There will be medical, economic and political confusions. All-round the clock prayers are needed.

This is not the time for selfish prayer.”

Just like Noah, what Dr. Olukoya embarked upon after that revelations baffled many, including his son, writing this. He literally abandoned many building projects all over the world and started building social media

infrastructure to reach every human being in all nations.

The salvation of the human race has been the fervent desire of Dr. Olukoya. He says it often.

People who are closer to him know that.

As soon as he finished building his social media ark, the prophecy came to pass. Nations are currently going through “medical, economic and political confusions.”

God told him that “All-round the clock prayers are needed.” God also told him not to seek the salvation of his church members alone. “This is not the time for selfish prayer,” he heard.

Today, to arrest the rampaging pandemic all over the world, aside global observance of basic hygiene, Dr. Olukoya has rolled our prayer programs for the next 30 days. People can now watch him live on Sundays and Wednesday in all nations of the world.

Surely, Dr. Olukoya is the Noah of our time.

He is the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) Worldwide.

Holds PhD in molecular genetics from the University of Reading, United Kingdom.

God bless his ministries worldwide in Jesus name.

Fola Adekeye, Lagos

DAVIDO’S INSENSITIVITY

T

he world is currently going through a very rough time as a result of the dreaded corona virus. Thousands of people have lost their lives due to the disease that started in December last year from a town called Wuhan in

China.

The virus has spread to other parts of the world with Italy being the worst hit after China which has managed to control it and keep the fatality very low. For some time it wasn’t an issue in Nigeria as our policymakers weren’t proactive to shut down our borders and issue sturdy controls to avoid it from entering the country.

Dooms day is here as it is now in the country with the government running helter-skelter to curb its spread. One sector which is badly hit is the entertainment industry as many shows have been cancelled indefinitely. The sector is under siege as the government has encouraged most Nigerians to stay at home as the country is heading towards a total lock down.

It is tragic that music superstar, David Adeleke a.k.a Davido held a concert in the ancient city of Ibadan over the weekend. He was later seen with the Governor Seyi Makinde who was grinning from ear to ear. This is sad coming at a time when entertainers are using their star power to campaign

against the virus. Stars the world over are using their loud voices to encourage their fans to stay indoors so that together they can fight against the pandemic. It was extremely insensitive of Davido to subject the lives of his fans to the disease especially at a time when there is still so much ignorance about it from the unlettered.

He owed it a duty to his fans to follow him on his social media handles instead of risking their lives. He was supposed to have used his clout and influence to encourage his teeming fans to comply with the government directive of the stay- athome order to curtail the spread of the virus.

Why didn’t the Oyo State government crackdown on the event? The state has now recorded a case of the virus and it lacks the capacity to curtail its spread as its healthcare facilities are overstretched. Just the other day, Governor Makinde apologized for holding a rally of his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state which had the potential of escalating the illness. Why couldn’t his government take a strong stance against the ill-conceived action? Why did he offend the public sensibilities by taking a photograph with such a bold offender? What message was he passing on to the public? Was he subtly encouraging impunity in defying the government’s orders?

Tony Ademiluyi, Lagos

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THURSDAY MARCH 26, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Aero Contractors Offers Fleet to FG Chinedu Eze

Nigeria’s oldest airline, Aero Contractors, has offered its aircraft, both fixed wing and helicopters, to the federal government for airlift of relief materials, medical equipment and personnel in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was disclosed by the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Captain Ado Sanusi, who said it is the contribution of the airline in support of the government fight against the virus and treatment of those already infected.

Sanusi said the aircraft would henceforth be at the disposal of the Presidential Task Force for the Control of Coronavirus in Nigeria headed by the Secretary to the

Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.

The Aero airline CEO urged well-meaning individuals, corporate organisations and others to support the government in order to overcome the pandemic, which is resetting the world order.

He commended the efforts the federal government so far in the fight against the pandemic, and urged Nigerians to abide by the rules to get themselves protected from the scourge.

“We at Aero Contractors have decided to offer our fleet to the federal government, all the aircraft in the fixed wing and rotary, to deploy at its disposal in the fight against COVID-19. This is what we have decided to do to support the government.

Niger to Cut 2020 Budget by 36% Laleye Dipo in Minna The Niger State Government is to cut the 2020 budget by 36 percent, reducing the budget size to N98 billion from the initial N155 billion.

The state Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Alhaji Mammam Musa, who disclosed this in Minna last Tuesday evening, said the capital projects in the budget would be affected by the review which has been approved by the state executive council, and will be presented to the state House of Assembly for approval.

“Most capital projects are in trouble, but we don’t want to go into non-payment of workers’ salaries,” the commissioner declared.

He added: “Only projects that have attained 75 percent completion will be attended to, while overhead costs will be reduced by 75 percent to all MDAs, and travel expenses are to be reduced drastically too.

“Henceforth, the governor is to travel in the third class flight, while other officials are to travel in the economy class,” Musa declared, blaming the latest development on the drop in the price of crude oil which he said would affect the amount the state would generate from the Federation Account.

According to him, “The state 2020 budget was anchored almost 90 percent on income

from the Federation Account with only about 10 percent IGR. So serious drive for internally generated revenue will now begin.”

He said the executive council has constituted a committee on investment drive which he is chairing.

Meanwhile in line with the directive of the state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, the government has partially locked down the state on Wednesday as the 12 hour curfew commenced.

The streets of Minna, the state capital, were devoid of large number of motorists while only few people were seen moving around.

The state government had announced the 8a.m. to 8p.m. curfew to stop movement of people and discourage the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Only people on essential duties are permitted to move around in the performance of their official duties.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mary Noel Berje, has also clarified the government position on the state of the coronavirus pandemic in the state, saying the seven cases mentioned recently “are contact cases and not suspected cases.”

Berje said the government “is monitoring these contact cases, and will give up to date information as things unfold.”

Chukwuemeka Ike’s Funeral Postponed The burial rites of Nigerian literary icon, the traditional ruler of Ndikelionwu, Anambra State, Eze Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike, earlier scheduled for April 1 – 5, have now been shifted to a date to be announced later.

The decision, according to a statement, was in compliance with the ban placed by government on public gatherings, due to the ravaging COVID-19.

The family stated that they regretted any inconveniences the postponement may have caused guests who may have concluded plans to grace the occasion.

The statement was issued by the Town Union President General, Edozie Obasi, who

also doubles as the Chairman of the Eze Ikelionwu burial council.

The late Ike, who died on January 8, 2020 at the age of 89, was Deputy Chairman (South), Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers; a literary giant with over 14 novels; former Registrar, University of Nigeria Nsukka; former Pro-Chancellor & Chairman of Board of University of Benin and Anambra State University; former Registrar West African Examination Council (WAEC); a Distinguished academic and holder of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (OFR) and the Nigerian National Order of Merit Award (NNOM), among other international awards/honors.

“I am impressed by what the Presidential Task Force is doing so far and I believe that our little contributions

will help them. They can use the aircraft to airlift relief materials, medical equipment and personnel.

“I use this opportunity to implore Nigerians to follow instruction by the federal and state governments and

the task force so that we will protect ourselves from this pandemic,” Sanusi said.

SOCIAL DISTANCING...

Chief Medical Director, Asaba Central Hospital, Dr. Peace Eghosewe (left), and Delta State Governor , Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa , during an inspection of the newly installed facilities at the Isolation andTreatment Centre in Asaba...yesterday

PFN Declares Three-day Sit-at-home Prayers, Fasting The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Osun State chapter has declared threeday sit-at- home prayers and fasting against COVID-19 that is ravaging the world.

The state’s Director of Media, Bishop Seun Adeoye, in a statement yesterday said the chairman, Prophet Isaiah Adelowokan has directed all the

members of PFN in the state to observe the prayer and fasting.

He noted that the fasting will commence from March 26, to Saturday, March 28, 2020.

He said, “It is sad that the index cases is increasing and has even affected our state, it is imperative to engage in spiritual warfare against the

satanic pandemic disease. We hereby declare three days of sit-at-home prayer and fasting for all our members across the state.

“We have over 4,000 churches in the state that registered under PFN and we urge them to engage in this exercise.

He further instructed all PFN pastors in the state to

ensure total compliance with the state government’s directive by not opening their churches for services until further notice.

According to him, the total lockdown of churches in the state was in the interest of all and sundry while adding the Church leaders in the state are doing their best to make things work out for better.

Kwara Seeks Deployment of Immigration Officers to Border Communities Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The Chairman of Technical Committee on COVID-19 in Kwara State, who is also the state Deputy Governor, Kayode Alabi, has hinted that the state government has sought the deployment of officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to all irregular routes in the border communities of the state in order to curb invasion of immigrants into the state.

The development, according to THISDAY checks, might not be unconnected with the dangers posed by over 100 irregular routes in border communities of Baruten, Patigi, Edu Local Government Areas of the state.

Alabi, who spoke with

journalists in Ilorin yesterday against the backdrop of the discovery of COVID-19 in the neighbouring states of Kogi, Niger, Osun, Ekiti and Oyo, emphasised that “Kwara State has no confirmed case of the pandemic in the state.

“The deployment of men of the NIS became imperative so as to curb any possible invasion of other people who may want to escape through illegal routes into the state after the closure of land borders by the federal government.”

The deputy governor, who was flanked by the Secretary of the committee and Special Adviser on Health Matters to the state Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, Professor Wale Sulaiman,

among others said: “The immigration service officials are also at alert at the Ilorin International Airport, where they monitor any expatriates who may want to sneak into Ilorin through the airport, and take their documentations.”

He also said: “The government is also contemplating closing down motor parks and garages in the state for the mean time to curtail influx of people from neighbouring states into the state.”

Alabi added that the state government has set up various preventive and safety mechanisms, including establishing and equipping isolation centre, to tackle the virus potentially.

He noted further that the

committee has embarked on aggressive media campaigns to the people of rural communities in the state on the need prevent the spread of COVID-19 as well as to stay at home during this trying period of the pandemic.

Collaborating the chairman’s comment, the Secretary of the committee, Professor Sulaiman, said there was no cause for alarm in the state because they are fully prepared to curb any potential spread of COVID-19 in the state.

He added that the state government has set up a well-equipped isolation centre at Sobi Specialist Hospital in Ilorin that would take care in case of any discovery of the disease in the state.

PGF DG Urges FG to Invest Massively in Health Sector Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Director-General of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Dr. Salihu Lukman, has called on the federal government to invest massively in the health sector following the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country.

He said the challenges posed by coronavirus is a wake-up call for both the leaders and the citizens, whether to be united in taking census of affected population, counting or celebrating deaths.

Lukman stated this in a statement issued yesterday, where he noted that at this early stages of the

manifestations of the threat of COVID-19 in Nigeria, “there was need to take urgent steps to recover humanity and ensure that the country’s responses help in producing the needed changes that could protect lives of citizens, guarantee quality and accessible healthcare services.”

According to him, “All these can only be achieved through high public investment in our health sector, which will also be partly dependent on similar high public investment in the education sector that will be required to produce the medical personnel.

“In this trying time, there are hard facts that we must come

to terms with. As Nigerians, since the mid-1980s, our public policy thrust discourages public expenditure in health and education sectors. In some ways, COVID-19 pandemic is confronting us with the opportunity to revisit our public policy thrust.

“Therefore, part of what could be the challenge facing us as Nigerians may be the issue of initiating processes of developing our health sector such that it is able to mobilise our leaders and citizens to work in harmony.”

The director-general added that one of the lessons COVID-19 has brought is that the country’s health and safety

could only be guaranteed with good public investment in the health sector.

Lukman said given the terrible state of the country’s hospitals, almost every citizen believes that to find cure for any sickness, major or minor, Nigerians have to go outside the country, irrespective of individuals earnings or social status, this is a common belief across all divides in the country.

He added that as a result, everybody’s instinct, once faced with medical challenge, is to mobilise financial resources, which many have to achieve through donations by family members and well-wishers.

THURSDAY MARCH 26, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY MARCH 26, 2020

POLITICS

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG Email nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com (08114495324 SMS ONLY)

‘A Deputy Should Be 100 Percent Loyal to the Governor’ Nseobong Okon-Ekong dialogues with Mr. Moses Ekpo, Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State on how deputy governors can avoid conflicts with their principal, while ensuring a harmonious working relationship for the benefit of the people

T

here is notion in some quarters that projects by this administration is concentrated in the homestead of the its principal officers like the governor, commissioners and yourself?

I wouldn’t tell you to come to Abak and see what is happening, rather I will tell you go around the state as much as you can. Look at what is happening. That’s the template that we are having for every part of this state. I’m not saying that the previous administration didn’t do things. They did things. You give credit to (former governor) Godswill Akpabio for what he did. He did a lot, but the intention is that we should be building on that. And that is what this administration is doing. Most of the projects that were initiated at that time are being completed by this competition. My personal view is that the zoning system for the governorship of this state is meant to be able to provide, at the end of the day, a holistic development in every part of the state.

If you have governors or leaders take development to their own areas, by the time they take development to their own areas, you will discover that the entire state would have been developed. If you look at Uyo, anybody who knows it from the beginning, the real Uyo has no semblance of what you knew yesterday. The reason is that we think that the state capital should be the first port of call to anybody.

Let development radiate from there to other places and that’s what is happening in this state. I believe that if the tempo continues, if there’s anything to learn from this administration by others who will follow, within a short time, Akwa Ibom would be unique. Even in terms of economic development, there’s a lot of things on ground. By the time everything is unfolded by our completion time, we will have a lot to show.

Some believe that your choice as deputy to Governor Udom Emmanuel was for stability.You were expected to bring your experience in government to bear. Again, considering your age, the thinking was that you will not be driven by ambition into a conflict with the governor. In what ways are you doing this?

This is the most peaceful place you can have in this country, inside government and outside.

It’s only good governance that can modulate this kind of a thing. In my little way, I think to provide that stability, there should be peace even within governance. For me, I have a dictionary that defines loyalty and when I interpret it, loyalty has no percentage. If you’re 90 percent loyal to your boss, then it’s not complete, it doesn’t help. It should be 100 percent loyalty.

Governor Udom Emmanuel shares opinion.

There’s no better way to govern. This state is the most peaceful state, even in government.

Once the government is in factions, then the entire state will be in factions. We don’t want to create divide and rule. Governor Emmanuel listens to everyone. He listens to his colleagues in the cabinet and when decisions are taken it’s a wholesome decision.

There’s a move to review the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will you advocate for a constitutional role for deputy governors?

If it’s a constitution, must everything be written down, to say, ‘the deputy governor must or must not do this and that? Even if they are written down, are they not turning them overboard? For me, if you have a constitutional role for a deputy to say he should do this or that, it becomes a bit selfish. When you take on a job with the governor, it not as if we sat down and said this is what we will divide. It’s a mutual understanding, so I key into what

of the society.

Are Akwa Ibomites peaceful or docile?

We are not docile. In your village, for example, don’t you know who the bad people are? Even the parents know who they are. How do you secure a place? Through information. The ability to give information to enable the management of security is what is affecting this country.

These people who carry out these disturbances are not ghosts. They are our people. We know them. We will do what we think will help our people. The day Nigeria starts believing that everyone is related to each other, we will start to have peace.

Ekpo his focus is. If I do, I follow him, if I don’t, I don’t follow him. It’s very clear. What are we going to propose to be included in the new constitution as a role for the deputy governor?

It’s very clear, you deputize for him. You are to do those things the principal does when he’s not available.

The role of the deputy governor is so critical, even as a candidate, like what happened in Bayelsa state. It’s a joint ticket.

Whatever affects the deputy governor automatically impacts on the governor.

And is it true you were chosen by former Governor Akpabio for this role?

All I’m saying here is if the nation considers that it is important to define roles for a deputy governor, will it ever be in conflict with what the governor is doing? I think it’s a mutual understanding between two people.

The former governor didn’t choose me. It’s the party that chose me. If it was the former governor, I would have decamped with him.

I’m not opposed to defining the constitutional role but what will this role be in our case? No

matter what you inscribe in that constitution, are practicing it here? What we want is the interest of the people. We should be very careful in saying what a deputy governor should do or should not do. The 1999 constitution is not a constitution of the people. Let the people agree on a constitution. The constitutional reports are there. Why are we not looking at them? In those reports, you see semblances of what a peoples constitution should be. In our own case, it was the soldiers that gave us the constitution. Nobody had a say. The right thing to do now is to look at all the reports and get a group of Nigerians to scrutinize it, but not on political party basis.

On security issues, the South-west governors have come up with their own peculiar solution. Do you think the Southsouth should go in that direction?

We are not following anyone. We are looking at it and studying it. As soon as it is ready it will be made known. For example, why is Akwa Ibom the most peaceful state? It’s because we involve everyone from every strata

Fine a Fulani man is President. Doesn’t he have collaborators including southerners? He must have collaborators for it to work. Nigeria has a very complicated situation which every well-meaning person should see how to address. Take the herdsmen thing for example, if the law doesn’t provide for them to be armed, why are they being armed? If they solve that matter, then the issue of herdsmen can be dealt with easily. Whoever hires them you are not expected to arm them. If you arm them, it’s against the law. If this law is enforced, then people will know you can’t arm them and of course they can’t frighten people in their farms. Who should help those helpless people? The government using the law.

Will it be fair to say that the government in power is encouraging the Fulani agenda? If they are encouraging the agenda, who makes up the government?

Do you believe that there’s a Fulani agenda to take over this country?

I don’t know. This agenda, where’s it developed? When you take over, what does that mean? People might say that at this point in time that there’s a lot of killings, that could be true. But what’s the basis of doing that?

I’m sure a lot Fulanis and Muslims have a conscience. It’s to appeal to that conscience and the only way to appeal to that conscience is for those people to believe that they are part and parcel of the entire country.

We have reports from villages in Akwa Ibom of attacks by herdsmen. When the women go to the farm and sight these herdsmen, they run back. That’s very true. We are looking at those reports. But what I normally say to this issue is who owns those cows? We should also know.

Cattle rearing is business. It could be that those cows are owned by Akwa Ibomites and they hire Fulanis to keep them. It could be because they have expertise much more than we have.

But why would they arm them with guns?

If they arm them what is the overall government and security agencies doing? Are herdsmen supposed to be armed? If they are not supposed to be armed what is the law saying about it? if there’s a law at all, has it been enforced? Has the Federal Government enforced the laws? If they did, these people won’t be carrying arms. Or are we saying it’s part of the Fulani agenda that’s why the federal Government is saying nothing? Fine a Fulani man is President. Doesn’t he have collaborators including southerners?

He must have collaborators for it to work.

Nigeria has a very complicated situation which every well-meaning person should see how to address. Take the herdsmen thing for example, if the law doesn’t provide for them to be armed, why are they being armed? If they solve that matter, then the issue of herdsmen can be dealt with easily. Whoever hires them you are not expected to arm them. If you arm them, it’s against the law. If this law is enforced, then people will know you can’t arm them and of course they can’t frighten people in their farms.

Who should help those helpless people? The government using the law. Will it be fair to say that the government in power is encouraging the Fulani agenda? If they are encouraging the agenda, who makes up the government?

At the end of the day, you hold the Federal Government responsible. It’s the Federal Government law that should be effective in these states. Everyone should obey the law.

That’s why I say our problem in Nigeria is so complicated. And nobody should say I’m not part of it. If the present government at the centre is being run by the All Progressives Congress (APC), do we have only Fulanis in the APC? Of course, we have all Nigerians. So, everyone including my people here are part and parcel of it. Anybody who will want to do things that will be against his own people then that person is not well. For me, the issue that is at hand is the issue of leadership.

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY MARCH 26, 2020

POLITICS

‘A Deputy Should Be 100 Percent Loyal to the Governor’ In what area would you say the Udom Emmanuel administration has made the highest positive impact in the last five years?

Education and infrastructure. Education is top on our agenda, food sufficiency is on our agenda and we are delivering food to the people. Sometimes people don’t know that we can be self-sufficient for up to 80 percent of what we eat in this state. We are producing rice. The issue of people smuggling rice into Akwa Ibom is caused by greed, the craze for money, because there’s no scarcity of our local rice in our markets. As a matter of fact, it’s cheaper than the one they bring in. So we are self-sufficient in food.

In Uyo, alone our green-house supplies us with the tomatoes we need. We have conserved a little bit of our energy going to bring these things from the north. In the area of food sufficiency, we can stand up to be counted.

In infrastructure, schools, medical field, all our hospitals were gone. It is this administration that brought them back. All the general hospitals are back to optimum capacity. The Etinan General Hospital is a paperless hospital.

All the general hospitals in the state are interconnected. All you need to do is give your name and information and in two minutes what the doctor says will be given to you there. It’s a development and there’s electricity to back it.

We are aiming for ‘light for all’ in this state by 2021. We are hoping and working to be able to also distribute the power we generate here, because that’s the problem, if you generate the power and by this same law it doesn’t allow you to distribute what you have, you put it into the system, the system is unable to distribute so it can’t serve the people. Some communities here have light up to between 20 and 22 hours everyday and we are progressing.

If the law allows, we will give light to our people minimum of 18 hours each day. But we are impeded by law.

Are you concerned that the NBS rates Akwa Ibom as the state with the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the country?

It’s not correct. I don’t know where they got that statistics from. Anybody can sit down in his house and give statistics. Are they really in the field? There’s not less than between 15 and 20 health centers in each local government here and so they are the people to say how many HIV/AIDS cases were reported. Don’t forget, if you don’t report where will the statistics come from? So, it’s not correct. It’s like the statistics that a certain percentage of Akwa Ibom children are out of school. Why are they out of school? There’s free education here and on top of that, each teacher in the school is given an allowance per child in every school, on top of their salaries to manage, and each child knows he/she is not paying any fee.

Akwa Ibom is the chair of Federal Government intervention in oil production, how is this position being used to revolutionise oil palm production in the state?

The oil palm estates we used to have in the state became dilapidated. We had estates in the palm belt area. They are being revitalized with these loans and support from the Central Bank, as at this point in time. We have not forgotten that this is the money spinner.

What kind of relationship are you going

DISSENTING VOICE...IN HIS OWN WORDS

COVID-19 As a Weird Reset Strategy Iboro Otu, businessman and Akwa Ibom State governorship candidate of the Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP) in the 2019 national elections predicts that Nigerians who will survive the COVID-19 pandemic will be forced to evaluate their situation and ask for good and effective leadership

Ekpo to work out with the farmers, are they still going to be government-owned estates?

The Ministry of Agriculture is to make sure it provides a good liaison between them and the Central Bank. They should be part of the Anchor Borrowers Scheme. It’s not going to be possible for each private farmer, to get borrowers scheme. They get into this cooperative working for the government. The government is not going to manage these estates. Once we get these estates working again, the people should be able to manage it themselves and benefit from this input that the Central Bank is making.

What are you going to retire into in 2023?

Assuming you don’t have any ambition in politics In 2023, my ambition is to be able to continue living in this state and making it better than I found it. I will continue to make my little contribution. I’m a journalist. If I retire into publishing, I will be comfortable. I have never been a business man in my life.

Where do you stand concerning the controversy over retirement benefits for governors and their deputies?

Will I not be adjudicating over my case? It’s all about good governance. What is good for the people is the most important thing. If the people come out and say this is not right and it’s universally accepted, a good government should be able to listen to what they are saying.

What’s your take on the social media bill?

Nigeria believes in laws, but do we enforce these laws? What is that bill expected to achieve?

Is it not left for us the practitioners to impose what we think would make our profession sane? Which law in this country has been enforced? If we enforce laws things will be orderly, but no law is enforced. Is there no provision for people who circumvent laws? A reasonable law is able to regulate what you’re saying. Why do you want to put it into a law?

Life itself is self-regulatory. You cannot say no to people who believe it’s an agenda to witch-hunt people who are not in their party because they are right. Because even when you know that somebody has committed an offense instead of taking them to court, you want to do some other thing. The whole thing boils down to leadership. Has the leadership fared well? The problem is not to review the constitution. that you didn’t make.

If the nation considers that it is important to define roles for a deputy governor, will it ever be in conflict with what the governor is doing? I think it’s a mutual understanding between two people. The former governor didn’t choose me. It’s the party that chose me. If it was the former governor, I would have decamped with him. I’m not opposed to defining the constitutional role but what will this role be in our case? No matter what you inscribe in that constitution, are practicing it here? What we want is the interest of the people. We should be very careful in saying what a deputy governor should do or should not do

Otu

I

remember when I was a child, there was this popular story of this cunning tortoise who was a leader of his pack and who changed his name to “All of Us”. He did that so when things are allocated to everyone, he would claim it saying it was allocated to ‘All of Us’. This guy made a killing off his people’s back and his people were seeing it happen live or “Coro-coro” as we call it. “All of Us” thought he was smart. All of us thought he was smarter by the day.

Anyways, I’ve been quite quiet for a while. Every now and then a friend or two would check up to know updates.

The truth is, I didn’t go silent at all. I’ve been working in the background with my lawyers both local and international, with concerned citizens, raising the needed funds and support for my case at the International Criminal Court. I’m sure I will sound like a broken record stating why I am headed there so let’s leave that for another post. However, something has forced me out to re-evaluate my strategy on good governance and to witness how the hands of God most times works in mysterious ways.

Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria and indeed Africa has been ravaged by bad governance. We have selfish leaders imposed on us and they in turn impose their selfish wishes on us, pilfering the public purse, offering abysmal service in all sectors while they and their families fly overseas at the drop of the hat for great education, amazing healthcare and all what not.

Then Corona came upon ‘All of Us’ There is mass hysteria about the pandemic situation but as a concerned African and Nigerian and indeed Akwa Ibomite, honestly, I don’t know how best to approach this Corona thing without upsetting some people. The best I can say to the common man like me is, stay home if and when you can, stock up if you have the means - I don’t have the

means, and consume little. Pray. Pray hard! The bulk of this corona weight will be on “All of Us’. Isn’t it beginning to look like God in his infinite wisdom is finally stepping in with a weird reset strategy?

Now that the West have locked up their airspace, no London to travel to, we all will be using the ghostly general hospital and clinics - at least from the top three high profile cases I have heard so far, the abandoned clinics will be put to use. Of course, they will be casualties, life has always been like that. By the end of this, Nigerians who will survive this scourge will be forced to evaluate their situation and ask for better - I hope. I believe the devastating effects of what is coming will make the rest of us who will live through it to understand what some of us have been clamouring for - good and effective leadership.

Some will say, but the West is suffering it too even with their great leadership.

Yes, it’s true, but compared to who?

Look at their level of intervention, socio-economically and otherwise, can we surmount that?

With the amount of resources endowed on this country by God, we could arrest this situation like a lot of other countries have. We would’ve even been exporting doctors like Cuba is doing to Italy. We would have shored up our economy to protect jobs, we would’ve had enough bed spaces and doctors scattered across the country and states. What wouldn’t we have done with all the resources and wealth in Akwa Ibom State, in particular and Nigeria, in general?

But greed no go gree. Wickedness no go gree. Sycophancy no go gree. Belle politics no go gree.

Thank God for God. Everything and the whole world is on lock down. No one is going anywhere. We are all in this country together.

We live here. We die here. “All of us”.

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FEATURES

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 08038901925

Raising the Bar for Professionals Rebecca Ejifoma, writes that Dr. Abimbola Ogundere, through her new book ‘The Right Teacher’, is championing the movement for a generation of better skilled, influential, successful, and right teachers

D

the children. To echo her sentiments, she said, “The future of Nigeria is at stake. When teachers are not good enough, the quality of children that we churn out becomes obviously not good enough�.

To further drive home her goal, the teacher said the impact of the Learning As I Teach foundation has since extended beyond the shores of Lagos as teachers from across the country continue to partner through the different platforms of the foundation to learn and share vital information with regards to teaching and learning.

Her words: “In this season, the Right Teacher Book Tour is paving the way for the author’s philosophy on teaching to spread to teacher communities in the different geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Having successfully launched the book in the UK and Lagos Nigeria, the book will be touring Abuja, Port Harcourt cities as well as Kano and Delta states.�

Ogundere went further to define a qualified teacher as someone who has successfully completed a course in Education with a degree certificate as evidence.

While an NCE, a Bachelor's degree, Postgraduate Diploma or Master's degree in education qualify the holders to teach, candidates in her experience often need to be refined to be higher quality teachers.

Consequently, The Right Teacher’s book has come to shape educators to be skilled, committed to personal success and learner's success, be significant within and outside his classroom wielding influence in the school, community and the nation at large.

r. Abimbola Ogundere, a teacher by profession and medical doctor by training, is a reflection of passion-cumaction. Her determination is solidly backed up by the fact that teaching is the noblest of professions and holds great opportunities for the growth and development of any nation.

She is the Director of the Kids’ Court School and Convener of the Learning As I Teach Foundation – an SDG four initiative centered on improving teacher quality through providing quality Continuous Professional Development to Nigerian teachers.

Quite recently, she authored the best selling book ‘The Right Teacher’ – a book with a penchant to change the paradigm set of this generation of teachers and refine their practice to enable them serve as highly skilled, significant, influential and successful professionals.

To break the ice, Ogundere highlighted the fact that the field of teaching is not without its challenges. Globally, the teaching profession is grossly undervalued, underestimated and teachers are largely underpaid. “Teachers are subjected to poor working conditions and often lack the necessary resources to make teaching effective in the 21st century. Yet, amidst these limiting factors, teachers still take on the herculean task of molding the minds of the next generation,� she expressed sadly.

Indeed, the expert described teaching as the single most important school-based factor that affects learning outcomes for children.

Hence, she vowed to keep lending her voice, time and expertise relentlessly to advocate for the total rebranding of the profession, one teacher at a time.

In her words: “I'm passionate about teachers, improving their quality, and putting a structure in place for their development.

My foundation, ‘Learning As I Teach’, has empowered over 10,000 teachers in Nigeria through trainings to become better with a higher level of efficacy.�

Now, for the doctor, teaching is her calling.

Having gone through the discipline and rigour of medical school, it prepared her adequately to not only become an outstanding teacher but also to take head-on the challenges of the industry.

Right Teacher’s Book Undoubtedly, her philosophy with regards to teaching and learning has paved the way for The Right Teacher's book, which is a sure guide for teachers to become worthy professionals of impact and influence in the 21st century.

The Right Teacher is an easy-to-read book with a systematic and easy to understand model of the prized traits of a teacher worth his or her salt in this age and time.

Indeed, the author believes very firmly that raising teachers’ standards is a missing link in developing the education sector. She asserted, “Time and again, research has shown that the teacher quality is the single most important school-based factor that affects learning outcomes for children�. “It, therefore, goes without saying that if you can improve the quality of teachers inadvertently, you are improving the quality of students,� she added.

On The Right Teacher book’s target audience, the author identified that it is for those with a mandate to teach – whether within or outside the four walls of a school. This, therefore, broadens the scope to involve not only formal qualified teachers and lecturers but also parents, guardians, school owners and even government policy makers. “The Right Teacher book is a veritable guide which explains the standard of teachers that we should have even in out faculties of learning and colleges of education,� she enthused.

Raising Entry Point She frowned at some downgrading practices. “The entry point for teaching profession needs to be raised. The Faculty of Education has one of the lowest cut off marks to gain admission in university suggesting that unsuccessful people pursue a career in education. This attitude must change�.

Reminiscing about her recent conversation with a group of Finnish educators that visited Nigeria, they shared that their top students are the ones that venture into teaching. “So many structures must have been in place to achieve that level – it is a field not for the bottom 10 per cent but for the top five per cent�.

Dr. Ogundere

Charge to Government As teachers work to improve their craft, there remains a void that government and the society at large must fill. She highlighted this as: “they can collectively wield their influence and advocate for positive change in the areas of teacher quality�.

She continued boldly that the government could ensure that only professionally qualified teachers take on the prestigious role of ‘teacher’; advocating that working conditions for teachers are at par with those of their counterparts in the oil industry and telecommunications

The Right Teacher’ – a book with a penchant to change the paradigm set of this generation of teachers and reďŹ ne their practice to enable them serve as highly skilled, signiďŹ cant, inuential and successful professionals

for example.

On how to improve teachers’ skill to meet up with global trends, Ogundere emphasised the need for vital collaborations between the government and the private sector through public private partnerships.

When these key stakeholders collaborate on a level playing field, they will have a more holistic view of the problems faced in the sector and ultimately create policies that will to improve the teachers’ total well-being from redefined working conditions to better remuneration for teachers, to ultimately improving the quality and standard of the school.

She, however, suggested that a perfect wage for teachers should be the kind that not only affords entry level teachers the opportunity to take care of their basic needs but they must also be capable of buying a car, building a house and affording the best quality of education for their children. In addition to this, teachers should be able to save up conveniently to go on personal or family vacations to refuel after a long and demanding school year.

Passion Another important reason Ogundere is keen on pushing the agenda of teachers is because of the overall impact these teachers have on

Call for Collaboration Sadly, Ogundere admitted to the hydra-headed nature of the challenges that face the education sector. She pointed to governmental support and initiatives such as the Learning As I Teach Foundation as a panacea to initiate programs and policies that would stem the tide of poor quality teachers in Nigeria.

Accordingly, she enthused that The Learning As I Teach foundation provides free training to teachers through multiple platforms both online and offline. Teachers who have been trained through the foundation also have access to further training sessions, newsletters and the online Telegram group which hosts over 1000 teachers. On making education more attractive, the author cited UNICEF's recommendations as the ideal way to go to bring about change. She noted that 20 per cent of a nation's budget should be for education. “If we really believe that education is important, a weapon that the nation can wield to change itself for better, then we must put our money where our mouth is and provide enough within our budget for education�.

With this, she maintained that the quality of teacher training, the facilities, and the remuneration needs will consequently become more attractive.

While she established that teaching is a gift and teachers are fundamental to the greatness and success of any nation, she punctuated her messaged: “The sooner that we, as a nation place a radar on the teachers, and ensure that the profession takes its pride of place, the sooner our nation, Nigeria, and Africa at large, will become successful�.

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#THISISNIGERIA - Rotimi Fawole

The Second Quadrannium of Gambrach: Interregnum in Car-Knoe

Y

ea, in that day, a great pestilence befell the kingdoms of the earth and a whirlwind of unchill tossed the seas. Some people called it colonialvirus because it struck at the imperial heartlands of Old Europiana. Other people called it cycloneavirus, as it blew unchill all the way from the Woo-Hand Province in Jinpingopia to the boroughs of Jandinia to the lagoons of Ekonnos in Jirriah, where King Shangolulu was pointedly on top of the matter.

It was not known if the cycloneavirus was the cause but Mar-Goo of the Everly Failing at Convictions (until recently) Commission was certainly afflicted with something. For the people beheld in wonderment as he declared in vainglorious self-assuredness, surrounded by griots sipping the sweet nectar of sycofancia from their gourds, that cycloneavirus was created in the dungeons of corruption. “This soundeth like something only someone with moronavirus couldst say,� the people protested. Behold, this caused the clerks of the Everlies to come unto the people in Social Mediana to say, “Y Jirrians are thoroughly deaf! For if ye were not deaf, when Mar-Goo the Righteous declared that the pestilence was forged in the dungeons of corruption, ye would instead have heard him actually say corruption is a bad thing.

Is this disputable.�

But Mar-Goo was not to be corrected, insisting, “I said that which I said.� Wherefore the Clerks of the Everlies shut their gaddem

And the pestilence did not abate. It went out unto all the global stock ďŹ sh markets, causing the stock to go sour all over the world.Yea, it even affected the price of Jirria’s priceless petrolatum, cause it to plummet to only one score and ten Trumpetstanishekels.

The people looked unto Gambrach, but he unlooked them all. For he was sore at the prospect of his enforced stay on Jirrianshores as a result of the viral pestilence and the dimunition of his receipt of the Code of Esther at

mouths and said nought further.

And the pestilence did not abate. It went out unto all the global stock fish markets, causing the stock to go sour all over the world. Yea, it even affected the price of Jirria’s priceless petrolatum, cause it to plummet to only one score and ten Trumpetstani shekels.

The people looked unto Gambrach, but he unlooked them all. For he was sore at the prospect of his enforced stay on Jirrian shores as a result of the viral pestilence and the dimunition of his receipt of the Code of Esther at.

The cyclone also blew unto Shomolek, warden of the Apicureans. His battle with King Deus-Vici, of his home kingdom in Edom, had assumed such epic proportions that the Magistratum had ruled him no longer warden. “Only the godscan determine my Wardeny!� declared Shomolek, as he found a judge from another division of the magistracy to void the prior order.

But, lo, was he greatly shocked when he went unto the Apicurean headquarters and mere mortals restrained his ingress into the premises. “Do you not recognise me? Behold your Warden!� protested Shomolek. Lo, the guards gently replied, “Like a great warden once said – he who hath not the intestinal fortitude for rigging is best served being a political spectator.� And it was a big wawu for Shomolek.

In Car-Knoe, fresh off his victory at the

disputio gubernatosis, King Macashma Gandi decided it was time to deal with his own private pestilence. “Darth Wheezus,� he called to his scribe for Social Mediana. “Yes, O great king of the monied robes?� answered Darth Wheezus. “Remind me – Noo Si, the Caliph of Car-Knoe, did he attend the wishing well commissioning ceremony we sent him to last week?� “Nay, my King. He prefereth to pontificate about poverty and education and the failure of the Northern Kings to advance their peoples. Such great disrespect, my King.� “What? Even after I hung, drew and quartered his caliphate?� “Even more so, my King. It is as if the Caliph deemeth himself above you, Your Majesty.� “How dare he?� riled Macashma Gandi. “His robes are only embroidered with silk.

Mine are embroidered with far the more valuable threads of benjamene.� “So what does Your Majesty now wish to do?� asked Darth Wheezus. “Summon my council. He shall be deposed and he shall be banished! What a barn-zar!�

Thus it was that the news went out unto the people in Social Mediana, Twillistia and all of Jirriah that Noo Si was no longer Caliph in Car-Knoe. And there was no gaddem chill in the land.

- Rotimi Fawole is a lawyer and satirist.

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T H I S D AY ˾ MARCH 26, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S

A S

MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A T

REPO 4.80 % 5.30 %

CALL 1-MONTH

6% 7%

M A R C H S & P INDEX INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY

Group Business Editor Obinna Chima Email obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08152447875

2 0 , 2 0 2 0 S&P 469.15 % -0.01 %

1/4 TO DATE YEAR TO DATE

EXCHANGE RATE -2.50 % -2.50 %

N360/1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes Fiam WiFi Launches in Lagos

FiamWiFi has launched its services in Ajegunle, a suburb of Lagos, after a three- month pilot.The aim of the company is to focus on high-density, low-incomeareasandruralcommunitiestoprovideaffordableandreliable connectivityforthemassmarket.

FounderandChiefExecutiveOfficerofFiamWiFi,andemerginginternet service provider, Akin Marinho, said the company installsWifi hotspots andhasstartedwith25hotspotsinAjegulewithplanstoinstallanother 100overthenextsixmonths.Hefurtherdisclosedthatafteritslaunchin Ajegunle, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State, the teamhasputtogetheraroadmapforitsrolloutplansinphases.

According to him Amuwo Odofin, Alimosho, and Apapa will be covered duringthefirstphase.Surulere,Oshodi,andIsoloarebilledforthesecond phase.Shomolu,Mushin,Kosofe,Ikeja,andAgegearescheduledforthe third phase and Ifako Ijaye, Lagos Island, Badagry, Ikorodu, and Ojo will be added in the fourth phase of its 18 month rollout plan. Emphasising that access to affordable connectivity should be for everyone, Marinho explainedthattheFiam WiFinetworkwouldbestrategicallybuilttohold concurrent users of about 10 per cent of the population of designated communities.

ThecompanyhaspartneredwithDolphinTelecomandVodacomthatprovide broadbandspeedbandwidth.Inaddition,thecompanyhaspartneredwith the authorities of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area to provide WiFihotspotsineveryprimaryschoolinAjegunle.

He also stated that as part of the company’s community-driven policy, customerengagementandmaintenanceteamswouldbesourcedfrom residents of the communities it serves, thereby creating employment opportunitiesformany.

SOCIAL MEDIA WEEK

Managing Director/CEO, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje (left), and the Co-founder, Social Media Week, Mr. Obi Asika, at the Social Media Week presentation held in Lagos... recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

Covid-19: ITU, Others Move to Strengthen Telcos’ Networks Stories by Emma Okonji As the COVID-19 continues to ravage the entire world, the International Telecoms Union (ITU) and governments of global economies, have resolved to strengthen telecoms operators’ networks across countries, while advising the operators to increase their network capacities during this period of the scourge, in order to maintain steady connectivity for all telecommunication services rendered.

They have equally provided some form of palliatives for telecoms service providers in order to keep the network active all through the period of the outbreak of the virus.

ITU is the United Nations

TELECOM specialised agency in charge of global regulation of information and communications technologies.

While launching a new platform called REG4COVID in Geneva, Switzerland recently, that would assist governments all over the world and the private sector in ensuring that telecoms networks are kept resilient and telecommunication services are available to all, ITU Secretary-General, Mr. Houlin Zhao, said the launch of the global platform, would protect telecommunications networks during the COVID-19 crisis.

According to Zhao, “As a result of the Coronavirus scourge, I have instructed my

team to leverage without any delay, ITU’s existing regulatory and policy-maker platform to help countries and industry cope with the increasing stress being put on global networks.

“The new Global Network Resiliency Platform aims to assist national policy makers, regulators and industry stakeholders to ensure that networks are kept resilient and telecommunication services are available to all to the maximum extent possible by sharing best practices and initiatives put in place during the COVID-19 crisis. It will collect relevant and trustworthy information and expertise on actions that telecommunication policy makers, regulators and others in the regulatory community

can use to ensure that their telecommunication networks and services serve the needs of their country.

“This new ITU platform will provide countries struggling to find appropriate solutions to ensure their networks’ resiliency with relevant and trustworthy information and expertise on how to cope with the stresses faced by their infrastructure.

And because time is of the essence, it will give those countries that still have time to prepare an opportunity to learn from what is being done elsewhere – from emergency spectrum reassignments to guidelines for consumers on responsible use. Serving initially Continued on page 24

Expert Urges Entrepreneurs, Business Professionals to Adopt New Skills The founder and Entrepreneur-inResidence, the Ausso Leadership Academy (ALA), Mr. Austin Okere, has charged entrepreneurs and business professional to ensure that their business visions are driven and sustained by the “3 Powers of success” (3Ws).

He listed the 3Ws Skills to include: Way Power, which has to do with speaking to aptitude; Will Power which has to do with speaking to attitude and Wait Power, which has to do with speaking to patience.

He made this known while speaking recently with the delegates of the Global Shapers Community, Lagos Hub, an initiative of the World Economic Forum at a Meet the

TELECOM Leader Session hosted at the ALA Entrepreneurs’ Hub in Lagos.

According to him, “The 3Ws are the secrets that will keep every entrepreneur going”. He added that “These principles that I have called the 3Ws have been my guiding mantra through my over 25 years of running one of Africa’s largest technology companies, CWG Plc. “These three powers include the Way Power, which is the competence you possess to run your business. As a business leader you must constantly learn, unlearn and re-learn. This is how you will glean the critical knowledge you need to run to

run the enterprise.”

“Many people typically start a business, create solutions then go about looking for the problems.

And when people don’t find buyers, they become disappointed.

You first ought to be finding out peoples’ problems and pain points and then proceed to create solutions that ameliorate the pain.

Following from there, you go and acquire the appropriate competences to solve these problems.”

The Will Power, according to Okere, is “the resolve to keep going when everyone is saying you should give up. Without commitment you will not start, and without consistency you will not complete”.

“Sometimes people close to you will advise you to dump your venture and seek a proper job. But, what should keep you going at such times is your passion. It is the passion of a footballer that makes him complain when he is benched, despite the fact that he will still receive his pay at the end of the day. Your will power makes you go the extra mile, while your passion makes you persist in your venture while waiting for pay day,” he further explained.

“Most businesses fail because the proprietors abandon them as soon as they face challenges, because it is not yielding as Continued on page 24

Lagos Fintech Week Postponed

TheorganisersoftheLagosFintechWeekhaspostponedthe2020edition oftheevent duetotheoutbreakoftheCOVID-19thathasbeendeclared asaglobalpandemicbytheWorldHealthOrganisation(WHO).Thedate fortheeventisSeptember2020.

LagosFintechWeekisafintechfestival.Itisaweek-longeventtouniteoperatorsinthefintechecosystemwithnationalandinternationalparticipants.

Themulti-formatconferencecoverstechnologytopicssuchasartificial intelligence,authentication,advancedsensors,digitalandmobilepayments aswellasapplicationprogramminginterfaces(APIs),blockchain,bigdata andlearningmachines.

The chairman of the organising committee of the Lagos Fintech Week, Dr Yele Okeremi, said the decision came after much deliberation and consultation with industry stakeholders who have strongly endorsed theprioritisationofthecollectiveinterestsofallparticipants.

Headded:“WehavearoletoplayinordertoreducethespreadofCOVID-19 in Nigeria and on our part as the organiser of the biggest Fintech event in Lagos State; we are postponing this year’s edition from April 14-17, to September22-25,2020”.

He said Lagos Fintech Week is an invigorating week of distinct Fintech eventsthatdeliversexcitingdiscussions,stimulatingdemosandinsightful debates. It also features case studies and panels in consumer banking, corporatebanking,financialmarketsandinsuranceetc.

ULesson Reviews Price Downwards

uLesson,alearningappdesignedtohelpAfricanstudentshasreviewed itspricedownwardstoaccommodatemorestudentswhowillbeathome duringthisperiodofthecoronaviruspandemic.

The price review, which was made known by the CEO of the Company, SimShagaya,wasdrivenbythedesiretohelpmorestudentshaveaccess to the app’s rich curriculum-relevant content even while at home and to encouragefamiliestoadheretogovernmentregulationstostayathome.

According to Shagaya, the health crisis should not stop students from learning.

Hesaid:“itisunfortunatethattheworldis experiencingsuchacrisiscausingchildrentobeoutofschool.Whilemany ofuscancarryonourworkremotely,ourkids’donothaveaccesstoschool orhometutors.

“Werecognisethatparentsandguardiansmaybeanxiousabouthaving to pause the education of their kids. Because of this, we have reviewed thecostofourproductdownwardandintroducedaN5,000stream-only accesstothefullseniorsecondaryschoollibraryforoneterm,whichends August31st.

“If the industry players and the government work together, there won’t be issues of an agency shutting down base stations or cutting fibre cables during road construction” Chief Executive Officer, Backbone Connectivity Network (BCN),

Mr. Ibrahim Dikko

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BUSINESSWORLD COVID-19: ITU, OTHERS MOVE TO STRENGTHEN TELCOS’ NETWORKS as an informative tool, the Global Network Resiliency Platform will soon be expanded to provide an interactive and engaging platform for continuous sharing throughout this crisis and beyond.�

As the United Nations specialised agency for information and communication technologies, ITU has long advocated for universal, reliable and affordable connectivity, and we will continue to push on all these fronts until everyone is connected, Zhao said, while calling on all ITU members, from the public and private sector alike, to come together to build the best platform so that information and communication technology can help defeat COVID-19 and make the globe safer, stronger and more connected.

Just as ITU is making efforts to strengthen telecoms networks, government across the globe are providing support for telecoms operators.

In America for instance, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted special temporary authority to T-Mobile USA to use additional spectrum in the 600 MHz Band to help it meet increased customer demand for broadband during the coronavirus pandemic. The company requested this authority to make it easier for Americans to participate in telehealth, distance learning, and telework, and simply remain connected while practicing recommended “social distancing.�

EXPERT URGES ENTREPRENEURS, BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS TO ADOPT NEW SKILLS much as they want or quickly enough. After you have put so much effort into your business, you need to patiently wait for the benefits that will accrue from it.

This is the essence of the third power; the Wait Power, which takes you eventually to the light at the end of a dark tunnel,�

Okere added.

Speaking on how entrepreneurs and business professionals can leverage mentoring and learning to improve their capacity to maximize results, Okere explored the opportunities that the ALA affords.

NEWS

NIMC Suspends Enrolment, Others Nationwide Stories by Emma Okonji The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has suspended all identity registration and enrolment, including other ancillary services nationwide.

The suspension came on the heels of the recent directive by the federal government for all officers on Grade Level 12 and below to stay off work, following the outbreak and spread of the COVID-19 that has killed thousands of people globally.

The directive was a follow up of its initial announcement few days ago, to shut down all its enrolment centres in five states of the federation.

In a statement issued by NIMC and signed by its Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Kayode Adegoke, it said: “The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) wishes to inform the general public that all enrolment activities and other ancillary services across the federation are hereby suspended with immediate effective, till further notice. “This decision was reached in due consideration of the rising number of infected persons in the country as stated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and NIMC’s desire to ensure the safety of all

Nigerians coming for enrolment as well as that of its staff. “The closure is to curtail the rampaging Coronavirus pandemic by encouraging strict adherence to social distancing and observance of necessary precautions.�

The statement further explained that NIMC, like all well-meaning agencies of the federal government of Nigeria,

would consider the health of Nigerians to be of paramount concern, and called on Nigerians to device various means to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic so that life could return to normalcy, to enable NIMC resume enrolment soonest.

NIMC had earlier last week, issued a statement announcing the shutting down of all its enrolment centres in five

states of the federation, namely: Lagos, Ekiti, Ogun, Katsina and Anambra states.

The Commission said the move became necessary in order to prevent its staff and applicants from getting more vulnerable to the pandemic.

According to the statement, “Consequently, all enrollment activities, card collection and other identity related activi-

ties are hereby suspended in the aforementioned states till further notice.The closure is not intended to create panic but to arrest the spread of the disease, which has become a global threat. “We hereby regret any inconvenience the closure might cause as our paramount concern as a responsible and responsive Commission is the safety of all.�

MEDIA BRIEFING

Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo (left), and Head of Secretariat, Mr. Gbolahan Awonuga, during an emergency meeting organised by ALTON to address the eect of the COVID-19 on telecoms services, held in Lagos...recently

Ventures Platform, Lagos Collaborate against COVID-19 Ventures Platform, the Africawide network that supports entrepreneurs and innovators to succeed has partnered with the Lagos State government through the Lagos State Science Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC), to find techenabled solutions to address the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Ventures Platform and LASRIC would provide funding and rapid operational assistance to the selected teams and startups alongside technology and business industry experts, including LoftyInc, ACIOE, Wennovation, Flutterwave, AGS Tribe, SilverChip Consulting, Bluechip Technologies, IROKOtv, Lakunle Runsewe, Manasseh Egedegbe, and also supported

by Facebook.

To this end, applications for the #COVID19 Innovation Challenge, was opened, as the Ventures Platform team

continues to search for hackers, developers, enthusiasts or founders to build solutions for the pandemic and experienced professionals in technology, public health and pandemic research, healthcare investment, public sector engagement, digital experience management, virtual care, entrepreneurship development, and support.

The Ventures Platform opened its applications for their #COVID19InnovationChallenge to find tech-focussed ideas around heat mapping, preventative or information bots, solutions to assist with lifestyle adjustments, COVID-19 reporting and more. The mission for the cross-community collaboration is to rapidly build and scale solutions that will have a significant positive impact on the current pandemic, not only in Nigeria but across the continent.

According to Ventures Platform, six successful applicants would be selected by both Ventures Platform and LASRIC to participate in the #COVID19InnovationChallenge and will receive a $2,000 equity-free grant, opportunity for further funding, as well as access to virtual workspace and mentorship from some of Africa’s top, healthcare, business, and technology leaders.

Giving further details on the planned competition, the Founder, Ventures Platform, Kola Aina, said: “Due to the rapid spread of Coronavirus, we really do not have a moment to lose, which is why we are grateful to have assembled such a talented and influential group of program partners and mentors, as we look to move on this very quickly. “Our partners, like us, understand the need for action.

We know the talent is out there, now our job is to provide an enabling environment as well as access to mentors and funding so that our chosen companies and innovators can focus on building the best solutions for this big challenge in support of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and other actors.�

According to Mr. Olatunbosun Alake of LASRIC, “The Lagos State Science Research and Innovation Council is partnering with Ventures Platform as we look to solve issues around the current COVID-19 pandemic. “It is important that the state tackles issues around the pandemic in areas such as tracking, managing and solving related problems even for various health issues at large.

We believe that this partnership and the Venture Platforms’ stellar record in delivering

such projects, the breadth of their technology and business networks, will help us source a number of products and services that will help vast swathes of our population stay healthy and protected. We also believe that what works here in Lagos will help the rest of Africa.�

Aina, however said: “The response we have received to-date has been astonishing.

Such has the level of interest been, we have even extended the deadline to close of play on Monday 23 March, in order to review as many strong applications as possible. The entire Ventures Platform team is ready to select the top six applicants, and get to work with them straight away so that together, we can get ahead of the curve and build products and services that benefit millions of people not only in Nigeria but across the whole of Africa too�.

Fintech Firm Partners Hygeia to Provide Inclusive Health Insurance Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

Chinedu Eze (Aviation) Eromosele Abiodun (Maritime) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafo (Energy) Reporters

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT)

Encouraged by the $10 million funding to serve financially excluded populations in West Africa and other emerging markets, Aella is set to provide inclusive health insurance to millions of West Africans through its partnership with Hygeia HMO, a leading provider of health insurance in the region.

AellaCare, a health insurance product that offers a comprehensive and accessible micro-health insurance service overcomes obstacles that keep millions from accessing financial services. Such as geographical or regulatory inaccessibility, lack of access to banking institutions, confidence concerns or needs that existing financial products

cannot solve.

The fintech in a statement, said although several African governments have increased the proportion of their total public expenditure on health, financing remained a major constraint to effective health service delivery.

Scarce public resources and limited health infrastructure had made healthcare delivery unavailable to Africa’s bottom of the pyramid. It said about 95 per cent of Nigerian adults do not have insurance and 77.2 per cent of the nation’s population barely know what insurance is about, and that traditional financial institutions have also been unable to provide financial services to these individuals because they didn’t meet their

minimum profitable threshold. “AellaCare tackles this with super affordable health insurance coverage for as low as N2,000 per month. With the financial barrier reduced, people can now seek and receive much-needed health services such as; General Consultations, Pharmacy Benefits, Ante-Natal Care & Delivery services, Accidents and Emergencies, Surgeries, Outpatient and Specialist Consultations, HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment, Dental Care, Prescription Glasses, Family Planning Services among others. “AellaCare users can also get insurance plans on credit via the Aella app, guaranteeing personalised financial planning, the flexibility of payments and

better-improved healthcare access,� the Fintech Company said in a statement.

Giving further insight into the partnership, the CEO of Aella, Akin Jones, said “We are excited about this partnership with Hygeia HMO as it gives us the unique opportunity to reach millions of Africans that are currently outside the healthcare envelope via a collaboration with a leading health insurance provider. “With AellaCare, we are not only reducing the financial barriers that prevent people from protecting their health with decent health insurance; we are also transforming the unbanked and supporting economic growth for all West

Africans. This milestone is another validation of our commitment to lifting many out of poverty and transition emerging markets into the digital economy through accessible financial solutions.�

Speaking about the primary objective of this partnership, Hygeia HMO CEO, Obinnia Abajue, said, “At the heart of our mission at Hygeia HMO is the provision of affordable access to quality healthcare.

Access to quality and affordable care shouldn’t be a luxury and this partnership with Aella allows us to scale the provision of healthcare services to millions of Nigerians and West Africans previously outside the healthcare envelope.

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BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Preparing for Digital Economy The inauguration of the Communications and Digital Economy Complex and three other projects in Abuja by President Mohammadu Buhari recently will contribute to Nigeria’s strive for digital transformation, writes Emma Okonji

Buhari

L

ast week, President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated four national projects in the telecoms sector in Abuja on the same day, a move that underscores the determination of the federal government to transform the Nigerian economy into a digital economy, as it is currently being driven by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami.

The projects: include the Communications and Digital Economy Complex (CDEC), the National Broadband Plan (NBP), the Emergency Communications Centre (ECC), and the National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training programme, all targeted at digitising the Nigerian economy in line with the global digital transformation strategy.

Today the country can boast of 18 ECCs spread across 17 states of the country including Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. The establishment of Katsina State ECC last year by NCC, brought the total number of ECCs to 18.

The National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training programme, which is an initiative of the minister, will help develop the requisite technology skills among startups that will further drive Nigeria‘s digital transformation strategy, in preparation for a digital economy.

The National Broadband Plan (2020-2025), which was also inaugurated by President Buhari, is currently being driven by the minister, which sets 70 per cent broadband target by 2025.

The 2020-2025 broadband target is sequel to the successful attainment of the 30 per cent broadband target of the initial 2013-2018 broadband plan by the NCC in December 2018.

Following the attainment of the 2013-2018 broadband plan target, the minister set up a broadband committee, which was co-chaired by the Chief Executive Officer of MainOne Broadband Company, Ms. Funke Opeke, with the mandate to develop a five-year broadband plan for the country that will target 70 per cent broadband penetration by 2025. The committee had long submitted its report to the minister before it was inaugurated d last week, alongside other national information technology projects

by President Buhari.

FG’s commitment President Buhari described the CDEC as a building that will serve as a hub for effective coordination of the national digital economy operations. Expressing government’s commitment towards delivering on the country’s digital economy agenda, Buhari urged mobile network operators (MNOs) to ensure full attainment of the targets set in the new National Broadband Plan 2020-2025 by giving special attention to un-served and underserved areas while deploying their services.

The president, who expressed concern about the challenges faced by operators in the country, particularly vandalism of telecommunications equipment, also directed Pantami to work with all relevant government agencies to ensure full

Pantami

protection of critical national infrastructure like telecoms infrastructure.

He emphasised federal government’s commitment to ensuring that all stakeholders have a conducive environment to ensure the successful implementation of the Broadband Plan, which seeks to boost broadband penetration as well as support the deployment of 4G across the country.

The president particularly commended the efforts of the minister, NCC, the Presidential Committee and all stakeholders, who participated in the development of the new National Broadband Plan in coming up with new broadband target of 70 per cent for the country by 2025. “NCC’s CDEC will provide a befitting coordinating centre for the new focus on the Nigerian digital economy. The inauguration amplified the government’s desire to intensify efforts towards ensuring that Nigeria becomes an active participant in the global digital economy.

The newly commissioned ECC and Toll Free Number 112, demonstrate government’s resolve to keep Nigerians safe by taking advantage of digital technologies to ensure that Nigerians in distress are only a dial away from the relevant emergency response institutions in the country. “The Emergency Communications Centres will go a long way in supporting our efforts to improve the security of lives and property,� he said.

Digital innovation In the area of digital innovation and training, Buhari said the Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training scheme remained one of the government’s key initiatives to empowering innovators and entrepreneurs with skills required to thrive in the emerging digital economy.

The president said the digital capacity-building initiative would be part of his administration’s efforts to ensure that “our youths, women, unemployed graduates and people living with disabilities either become employers of labour or get a large number of well-paying jobs, thereby contributing to the national drive of lifting Nigerians out of poverty.�

While noting that the dwindling price of crude oil had adversely affected budgetary projections and increased the sense of urgency to diversify the economy, Buhari, however, expressed delight that the projects commissioned would enhance the development of the national digital economy and support efforts at diversifying the economy. “The digital economy will also support us in fighting corruption through digitalisation and enabling government digital services.

Digital technologies have become a useful platform for economic diversification. Having recognised the benefits of these technologies we have decided to adopt the Digital Economy paradigm early,’’ Buhari said.

The minister, however, emphasised the centrality of broadband penetration to reviving

the Nigerian economy. Pantami said it had been proven that 10 per cent broadband penetration in any country would improve its GDP by at least 4.6 per cent.

He explained that with coronavirus spreading across the globe and more people living in isolation, the digital and information communication sector is providing alternatives for people to stay in touch and institutions are providing the needed basic life-saving services to the populace.

While commending the federal government’s efforts in driving the country’s digital economy strategy, Danbatta said: “At the time President Buhari’s administration came into power in 2015, broadband penetration was hovering between four and six per cent. However, broadband penetration has now reached 38.5 per cent.�

Going down memory lane on the construction of the complex, Danbatta explained that as part of its desire to further develop the communications sector, the NCC set up the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) in 2005 and the NCC-DBI hostel and recreational facilities as part of its initiative to provide a conducive atmosphere for proposed students. “The facility was confirmed and ratified by the Federal Executive Council at its 45th meeting held on November 22, 2006. The NCC-DBI hostel and recreational facilities were abandoned before completion and were redesigned and modified by the NCC Management in 2018 from a hostel to an office complex; and was later renamed the Communications and Digital Economy Complex in line with current realities and policy direction. The Facility provides office accommodation to the Honourable Minister, Communications and Digital Economy and four full departments of the NCC,� he said.

On the ECC, the EVC said NCC facilitated the establishment of 18 ECCs across the states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the country in line with the Commission’s mandate under section 107 of Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003. “This is to promote and enhance public safety through the use of a particular number designed as the universal safety and emergency assistance number for telephone services generally; and encourage and facilitate the prompt deployment throughout Nigeria of seamless, ubiquitous and reliable end-to-end infrastructure for emergency communication needs,� Danbatta said.

The recognition of the significant role of NCC’s ECC in enhancing security resulted in the awards received by the Commission and Danbatta in 2019. Consequently, the NCC has also been inducted into the Forum of Spokesperson of Security and Response Agencies (FOSSRA), for its achievements.

Liberalisation of ICT sector Speaking on the inauguration of the projects, Danbatta said they would further lead to liberalisation of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

“The launch of these projects is a reflection of the growth and development in the ICT sector, which commenced with the National Telecom Policy and the full liberalisation of the telecommunications industry. Liberalisation brought about licensing of more telecom companies, participation of the private sector and provision of many services, which have helped to facilitate efficiency in other sectors of the economy. “The NCC is the independent regulatory authority for the telecommunications industry, established by Decree number 75 of 1992 and reestablished by the Nigerian Communications Act 2003. It is responsible for the preparation and implementation of programmes and plans that promote and ensure the development of the communications industry as well as the implementation of the government’s general policies on communications sector of the economy to liberalisation of the sector,� he said.

Describing the complex as a strong channel for driving the country’s digital economy strategy, Danbatta further said: “The CDEC sits on eight hectares of land at Mbora district of Abuja with two level basement floors and five floors from ground level. It has many facilities such as this 650-seater auditorium, offices, 300 mutli-level car park spaces and an additional 200 within the premises. In the same vein, the facility has a crèche for nursing mothers, industrial kitchen, a gymnasium and other sporting facilities for squash, table tennis, swimming pool and sewage treatment plant. There are also six lifts, a central air conditioning system, fire alarm and detection system, firefighting system, data and access control system, external street lights and CCTV control room and also five 800KVA generators and three dedicated transformers connected to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).â€?

Broadband for growth Speaking on the importance of broadband for national growth, Danbatta said: “As Mr. President launches the National Broadband Plan 2020-2025, it is important to mention that at the time this government came into power in 2015, broadband penetration was only six per cent. Today it stands at 38.49 per cent. We are expectant that with government support, this will increase rapidly within the coming years. “The importance of broadband penetration in economic development is key, as this is the main medium through which ICTs can be networked to create jobs and provide efficiency to support government and businesses. It is the platform on which all ICTs will operate and is key to the efficiency of the ECCs and the development of digital innovation. “Telecommunications and Information Services contributed 9.2 per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP) of Nigeria in quarter 3, 2019 with information and communications making a total contribution of 11.34 per cent. The statistics also show an increase in teledensity, active voice subscription, active internet subscription and usage.�

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Ě“

CWG Highlights Benefits Plateau Introduces IT Project Guidelines of Unified Cooperative for MDAs Stories by Emma Okonji Tech Solution Nigeria’s system integration company, CWG Plc has advanced reasons why it decided to create the Unified Cooperative Solution (UCP) platform, a technology solution that meets the operational needs of cooperative societies in Nigeria.

Making a presentation at the Fourth Annual Digital Masterclass and Symposium for corporative leaders, regulators and managers in Nigeria, organised Cooperative Support Services Limited in Lagos, the Product Manager, Unified Cooperative Platform at CWG Plc, Mr. Lateef Fadeyi, explained that the solution was created to rejig the cooperative sector, which is commonly classified as the minority in Nigeria today because of its inconsistency in data representation and exclusion in the financial ecosystem.

He noted that CWG, along with the National Co-operative Financing Agency of Nigeria (CFAN) has developed UCP to offer a robust all-in-one platform that supports access to financial inclusion and cooperative services. “The UCP is an integrated core operations solution with front and backend access to both members and administrators. Its automated loan management

and reporting with secured access,� he said at the forum with the theme: ‘Cooperative Business Model Disruption in the era of Digital Technologies and Innovations,� Fadeyi said.

He also highlighted the benefits of the solution, which many stakeholders in the cooperative ecosystem agreed has changed the status quo to include worldwide accessibility, ease of operations, up to date and efficient data and enhanced knowledge for planning.

Other benefits, according to him, were ease of payment and collections, increased productivity, data security, complete visibility and transparency and no complexity of infrastructure setup.

He added that the platform allowed for efficiencies in diving member, accounts and credit risk management processes; with high-end security features and access to a centralised financial services ecosystem; among other benefits. “UCP creates visibility to the Cooperative Societies and its members; closing the gap on access to key benefits like access to healthcare, food, insurance, pension, affordable housing and so much more. Details on how to join the movement is simply by online registration of individual cooperatives,� Fadeyi noted.

The Plateau State government has issued guidelines for clearance of information technologic (IT) projects by all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in line with the state governor’s drive for transparency and more prudent spending of public funds.

Under the new rule, MDAs are required to obtain clearance from the Plateau State Information and Communications Development Agency (PICTDA) for their IT projects. MDAs that fail to comply with the guidelines on IT clearance risk serious sanction including criminal prosecution in line with the state governor’s agenda for sustainable development, public expenditure accountability and elimination of duplicity of projects within public institutions.

Last year, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in its Second Corruption Survey Report, rated Plateau State as the least corrupt state in Nigeria after Imo State.

The survey was conducted in collaboration with other partner international agencies including the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

The rating, it was gathered, validated the efforts of Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State to entrench good governance, accountability, and transparency in the management of public funds.

The new rule is modeled on the IT project clearance procedures approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, where all federal MDAs must seek clearance from the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)

for all IT projects.

The guidelines for clearance of IT projects is in conformity with the Lalong’s administration’s zero tolerance for corruption and “determination to ensure that public funds are used strictly for the benefit of the people of Plateau.�

Among other objectives, the new guidelines will ensure that IT projects are not duplicated; allow for integration of IT systems and services by MDAs to save costs, promote shared services, interoperability and improve efficiency; ensure that the technology and services procured are suitable for Plateau State from the point of view of security and the environment; guaranty indigenous capacity for after-sales-service to sustain the project beyond the initial deployment; and also help to

promote indigenous content and preference for indigenous companies where capacity or the product or service exists; and that the technology being implemented is up-to-date.

ICT projects without the PICTDA’s clearance will be flagged and queried, according to the Auditor General of Plateau State, Mr. Setle Michael Damwes.

The State Commissioner of Science and Technology, Mr. Dung Musa Gyang, said: “Accountability and transparency is the fulcrum of the Lalong’s administration and it is our mandate to ensure that guidelines that relates to achieving this is properly utilised. We are therefore appealing to the Auditor General to make available a circular to all MDAs notifying them of the need for strict compliance.�

Startup Wins $5,000 Grant in Hackathon Competition Nigerian-based clean energy startup, Homefort Energy, has won $5,000 grant funding after emerging the overall winner of the Kingdom Hackathon competition prize of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Kingdom Hackathon competition, which held in Lagos recently, is a tech event that is focused on solving social problems through technology, an initiative of the Young Adults and Youth Affairs of RCCG. The Nigerian startup makes cooking gas (LPG) affordable and accessible to underserved markets in Nigeria, using pay-as-you-go model and digital innovations.

The event brought together innovators who are tackling social and global issues and offers support to them through mentorship and funding.

Founder of Homefort Energy, Opeyemi Owosho, won the first place position

and went home with $5,000.

Owosho also got six months free voucher of office space and mentorship support from Workcity, a partner of Kingdom Hack 2.0.

The second position went to Airsync, a balloon-powered satellite platform, for detecting oil spill and vandalism.

Airsync, also got a six months free voucher of office space and mentorship support from Workcity.

The third place went to Yudimy, a startup that leverages on behavioural science and Machine Learning (ML) technology for human capital development.

Yudimy also got six months free voucher of office space and mentorship support from Workcity.

No fewer than nine finalists were shortlisted for the competition after receiving applications from about 100 startup companies from Nigeria to compete for the grant.

PROMOTING INNOVATION

L-R: Kingdom Hack Project Coordinator, Oluwafemi Oyetunde; National Youth Pastor, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Precious Akingbade; Founder, HomeFort Energy Startup, Opeyemi Owosho, and International Director of Programs, RCCG Young Adults and Youth Aairs, Oluwadamilare Adeboye, during prize presentation of $5,000 to HomeFort Energy Startup that emerged winner of the Tech Hackathon Competition, organised by RCCG in Lagos...recently

Nokia Unveils New Smartphones The HMD Global has introduced three new Nokia smartphones into the Nigerian market.

The Nokia 8.3 5G was the first 5G Nokia smartphone added to the portfolio and is joined by the brand-new Nokia 5.3 and Nokia 1.3, as well as the latest addition to the Originals family, the Nokia 5310. Sticking with firsts, HMD Global also enters a brand-newservice category with HMD Connect global data roaming, its innovative and hassle-free service that keeps customers connected to the things that matter most.

The Chief Executive Officer,

HMD Global, Florian Seiche, said: “I am incredibly proud of the innovations we have introduced that will build on our unique commitment to ensuring the Nokia smartphone experience will only get better over time. Today we are kicking off a new chapter for HMD Global as we step into 5G with a truly global, future-proof smartphone.

Combined with the launch of HMD Connect, we are creating a truly seamless experience in terms of connectivity.�

According to Chief Product Officer, HMD Global, Juho Sarvikas, “We take great pride

in working with our partners to deliver unique devices.

That’s why we are excited to announce a number of firsts with this launch. With the help of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G Modular Platform, we have created a truly global 5G Nokia smartphone that’s designed with cost, usability and future-proofing in mind. Not only does the Qualcomm 5G solution enable to us condense more than 40 different radio frequency components in a single module, the Nokia 8.3 5G also features the highest number of 5G New Radio bands

from 600hmz all the way up to 3.8GHz – meaning it is a truly global and future-proof device.�

Sarvikas added: “Together with Google we have managed to introduce an impressively accessible Android (Go edition) device with the Nokia 1.3 – one of the first smartphones to launch with Camera Go and running Android 10 Go edition. The new Nokia 5.3 takes powerful features like the quad camera and Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 Mobile Platform and puts these at the fingertips of an even wider pool of fans.�

Citing a recent survey, which reported that 89 per cent of African women are the decision-makers or codecision-makers for household purchases, Dozie said the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) had said the share of women working in Research and Development (R&D) is just 32 per cent in sub-Saharan Africa.

Speaking further, Dozie said: “It is critical to have

women represented in the decision-making, engineering and innovation processes, so that we can design solutions that better meet their needs. “By taking active steps such as the Girls4Tech programmes, we are helping to prepare young women for careers in science, technology, engineering and Mathematics ultimately increasing their opportunities for prosperity, employability and a voice in the conversations that are driving the digital economy.�

Mastercard to Address Tech Skills Shortage Nosa Alekhuogie Mastercard has rolled out its first 2020 Girls4Tech programme in Lagos, Nigeria. The company said in a statement that the programme would seek to address technology shortage among Nigerian women and also encourage more female inclusion in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers.

A total of 60 girls between the ages of nine and 12,

currently attending the Holy Child College in Lagos, were encouraged to consider careers in science and technology. “The hands-on, inquiry-based STEM programme incorporates MasterCard’s deep expertise in payments technology and innovation. Mastercard employees serve as mentors and guide participants through practical and fun exercises covering topics such as encryption, fraud detection, data analysis, digital convergence, cybersecurity and

Artificial Intelligence (AI). The program also emphasises important skills such as collaboration, creativity and communication to enable young girls to apply their technical knowledge to solve real-world challenges,� the organisers said.

The Director, Marketing and Communications, sub-Saharan Africa, Mastercard, Ifeoma Dozie, said: “Through our Girls4Tech programme, we’re extending our commitment to Nigeria’s next generation of

women leaders and developing a talented pipeline of STEM professionals to support the country’s future economy, by encouraging girls to embrace the subjects that will prepare them for the workforce of tomorrow. “Inspiring young girls to build the skills they need in STEM is important, as it ensures that more women have a have a voice in the development of the products and services of the future.�

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UBA: Bringing Innovation to Banking Raheem Akingbolu reviews the UBA brand and links its cutting-edge advantage in recent time to the strategies being deplored by the promoters of the brand.

Uzoka

D

espite the high mortality rate in Nigeria’s market, some brands have conquered the early death syndrome that has continued to frustrate African brands.

From Insurance to the newspaper industry, banking to manufacturing, Nigerians, from time to time, witness the birth of new organisations.

While some live to tell the story, some die at infant and some as stillborn, making many analysts to conclude that Africans are not gifted in the art of brand management.

However, many brands are indeed making Africa proud in almost all the sectors as a result of their doggedness and global best practice approach to business. United Bank of Africa, First Bank, Globacom, Dangote, THISDAY Newspapers and a few other brands fall in this category.

For 70 years, UBA has navigated Nigeria’s banking landscape, supporting businesses and building other brands. Though, its origin could be traced to 1949, when the British and French Bank launched its first branch in Lagos, the success of today’s UBA is obviously as a result of a smart move by Tony Elumelu’s STB, which gave birth to an amalgamation of the defunct STB and UBA in 2005, which has since been described as a fusion of legacy and dynamism by many commentators.

The new United Bank for Africa Plc took off on 1 August 2005 as Nigeria’s first megabank.

With a network of over 425 business offices across the country, a balance-sheet size of over N600 billion, and an active customer base of over 2 million, United Bank for Africa Plc ranks as the biggest online, real-time bank in Nigeria and indeed sub-Saharan Africa.

From then, UBA commenced its pan-African expansion strategy, which has led to its presence in Republique du Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Congo Brazzaville, Congo DRC, Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Chad, Uganda and Zambia.

Bringing innovation to Banking Since 2005, perhaps as a result of the dynamism of the old STB, innovation has remained a niche strategy for UBA. Just recently, the bank unveiled a new product, UBA Connect, which aims to enable its customers to conduct traditional banking transactions at any UBA branch in the 20 African countries where the bank operates.

In upholding the bank’s drive towards financial inclusion for the underserved, the management of the bank indicated that the service would be available to both customers and non-customers equally, encouraging intra-African trade. According to the promoters of the brand, the move would make the Nigerian-based bank a preferred choice for non-customers traveling to African countries where the bank is the domicile for easy access to funds.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of UBA Africa, Oliver Alawuba, “Africa stands to benefit substantially from intra-Africa trade, which is facilitated by the easy flow of capital within the continent.�

Elumelu

He said because the bank is committed to creating superior value for its stakeholders, it is focused on ensuring that it continues “to contribute significantly to the development of Africa by improving accessibility and trade with UBA Connect, among other innovative services.�

This product is expected to trigger growth for the bank, as the unbanked in sub-Saharan Africa – developing countries like Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Tanzania – are a significant number of the roughly 1.7 billion “unbanked� individuals around the world.

The bank services over 19 million customers across Africa. But with this new product, that number may double if the public is educated on how to use this product.

The CEO further explained that the new offering allows easy transfers to UBA accounts across African countries as well as cash deposits into UBA account at any of the bank’s locations in Africa, adding that the cash will be dispensed to customers in local currencies at competitive exchange rates.

UBA Bumper Account The huge investment in marketing and advertising notwithstanding, business owners are always eager to take it up a notch through innovative relationship strategies with consumers of their brands. For players in the FMCG, the last quarter of the year is always a rewarding moment for consumers but for banking operators and their patrons, every day is important. In UBA, a reward system is key and it has remained a reoccurring decimal in the company’s strategic plans for decades.

The latest was the launch of the trending ‘UBA Bumper Account’, a hybrid account, targeted at transforming the lives of its customers. The new account was said to be in line with the bank’s mission of creating superior value for its stakeholders while encouraging saving cultures among Nigerians.

The account, carefully crafted to improve the lives of the UBA customers offers account holders an opportunity to win cash prizes of up to N2 million.

Speaking during the launch and monthly draw which was held at the UBA Head Office recently, the Group Head, Retail Banking, Jude Anele said, the New ‘UBA Bumper Account’ was created with the customer in mind.

Anele said, “We have in recent times deepened our focus on the most important aspect of our business – the customers we serve. Hence, our huge investment in technology to make banking easier and seamless, even as we introduce new offerings such as this Bumper Account, that will deliver improved value to stakeholders.�

He explained that new and existing customers of the bank need to ensure they have a minimum deposit of N5,000 in their UBA Bumper Account to qualify for draws. According to him, current UBA customers are to dial *919*20*1# to migrate to the UBA Bumper Account whilst potential customers should dial *919*20# if interested in opening a UBA Bumper Account.

In the first draw which was held live dur-

ing the official launch in Lagos, a total of 100 customers emerged winners as the Bumper to Bumper Crooner, Wande Coal serenaded guests with his famous hit songs to the delight of all present. “A total of 100 customers emerged winners at the live draws which took place here today, and as you have seen, some of our customers here present were part of the lucky ones who won N100,000 each. From here on, lucky customers will win from N10,000 to N2 million each in the monthly, quarterly and targeted draws,�

Anele stated.

He added that a monthly shopping allowance of N100,000 for a year is also up for grabs. “No fewer than 50 account holders will get a whopping N2 million each across all participating regions. This account is open to both existing and new customers of the bank who save a minimum of N5,000,� Anele noted.

Amos Wisdom, one of the winners, who was present, could not hide his joy: “I am still very amazed. Before I came here, I had the conviction that I would win. All my life, I have never won anything like this, and I am very happy that I won this time.�

Another winner, Ohagbelum Peace, who could not believe it when her name was announced said if she wasn’t present herself, she would not have believed in promos like the UBA Bumper Account. “I am very grateful. This is a new experience for me and I am now a number one fan of UBA. This has re-enforced my belief for this bank.�

Human capital Beyond innovation and promotion, one major thing that is working for the bank is in the area of human resources. Towards the end of last year, the bank indicated its decision to refresh its workforce. Few weeks after, over 5,000 staff of the bank started the new year with a lot of cheer as it announced its promotion to new grades as well as salary upgrades with immediate effect in January.

Those who were beneficiaries of this exercise were said to have received up to 170 per cent increase in their salaries and benefits, whilst a good number were moved to higher grade levels.

In a carefully planned restructuring embarked upon by the bank in the last quarter of 2019, UBA has transformed its grading system and processes to become one of the most competitive within the industry. The bank crashed its grade levels to 12 levels from entry-level to the top of the pyramid where previously it had been 16 levels. This means that staff now find it much easier to attain top leadership management positions at UBA as their careers progress much faster.

Again, in a massive recruitment drive, over 4000 new staff members resumed in the last week of December 2019 in Nigeria alone at the bank.

Based on the report, UBA currently stands as the highest employer of labour amongst Nigerian banks with a staff strength of close to 20,000.

UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Kennedy Uzoka, who announced

the bank’s new staff improvement initiatives to the excited employees noted that UBA is continually seeking new ways to improve the fortunes of its staff as they are the backbone of the organisation.

Uzoka who spoke to the staff in a bank-wide live broadcast said, “As a leading financial institution, we do not take issues relating to our staff lightly. We take great pride in being a listening bank that has the ears of our employees as they turn the wheels which make the organisation successful for our customers and shareholders. UBA recruits highly talented staff who perform at the best standards and deserve to be remunerated accordingly.�

In a related development, the bank has, early this year, announced that Oliver Alawuba has been appointed as CEO of UBA Africa, overseeing the bank’s 20 African country operations, ex-Nigeria. He succeeds Victor Osadolor, who retires from the Group Board, after 9 years of service working at UBA. UBA Africa serves over 19 million customers across the African continent, providing retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge products including the first ever banking chatbot in Africa, LEO. Laurels all the way Meanwhile, for the bank and its promoters, all these achievements weren’t going unnoticed.

Within and outside Nigeria, UBA and its top executives have been winning awards and getting recognition for their contribution to the global economy and promotion of global best practice.

For instance, on two consecutive times, the UBA Group, has emerged African Bank of the Year, while its subsidiaries have won Best Bank in Benin, Chad, Cote D’Ivoire, Gabon, Congo, Sierra Leone at The Bankers Awards.

This is the second time UBA has clinched the prestigious award, having been named Best African Bank of 2017 by The Banker magazine.

Last year, UBA also won best bank category in 6 of its subsidiaries: UBA Benin, UBA Chad, UBA Gabon, UBA Congo, UBA Cote D’Ivoire and UBA Sierra Leone.

The unprecedented win marks the first time ever in the history of the banker awards, that anyone bank will be given as many as six wins including the grand regional award. The awards ceremony took place at the Sheraton Grand, Park Lane in London where UBA was represented by its CEO, UBA Africa, Mr. Victor Osadolor who received all seven awards on behalf of the bank.

John Everington, Middle East and Africa Editor for The Banker, said the aim of the award “is to highlight industry wide excellence within the global banking community. The winner is selected from participating banks in each of the countries from which entries are received for the competition.�

Also, the bank had towards the end of last year emerged the Bank of the year 2019 while its Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, also emerged CEO of the year at the Business Hallmark Newspaper Awards, held in Lagos.

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BUSINESSWORLD

SMALL BUSINESS SOLUTION

Investing in Cassava Farming, Processing Godwin Uba

success.

The current price of Thailand hard pellets (Nigeria’s equivalent) is as high as 3,500 DM per ton, industrial starch $2,500 US per ton as at January 2011(please note that the international price fluctuates and project plan market price) would be worked out based on the current.

C

assava is an important annual food grown throughout Nigeria.

It is tuberous and has the ability to thrive in poor soils and has considerable resistance to drought. It is also used to refer to the root of this tropical plant. It is botanically called manihot esculenta and also called maniac or tapioca. Cassava is seen as readily available raw materials for establishment of small and medium scale industries in Nigeria. Nigeria’s staple garri is produced from the root of this crop.

Export Types Cassava for export includes dry cassava leaves, chips, pellets, cassava meal, flour and starch and ethanol. All these products can be export. Detailed research reports and feasibility studies report on establishment and running of any these aspects of the project are available and would be given to prospective investors. cassava flour would be given to prospective investors on contacting the writer. About 30 percent of cassava production globally s used for starches and other industrial products and only less than one percent is processed into ethanol particularly in Brazil. It is a choice animal feed material because of its high carbohydrate content. It is however mixed with protein source such as Soya beans.

Proper management of cost reduction programme is therefore recommended for those who wish to venture into the export of cassava as reduction of costs will afford better competitiveness. Cassava pellets are usual cheaper to transport and handle than other exportable processed cassava products like industrial starch. The standard of the product is very important.

Export Globally, only 15 percent of total production of cassava is exported with Thailand being the major exporter of cassava products. As earlier stated cassava and its derivatives were de-listed from the export prohibition lists since 1996 and any Nigerian can invest and export any processed product(s). Its export is now encouraged among other food crops for which Nigeria is a major producer by present administration.

Europe Market Overview The Europe is the major importer of cassava for animal production. Details would be given to prospective investors. Animal production being the main attraction of Agriculture in Europe, accounted for about 70 percent of total agricultural output. The compound feed formulation is the main attraction for cassava. About 90 percent of the traded cassava in the Europe is from the developing countries, Such as Nigeria. Main suppliers are Thailand (about 85 per cent), Indonesia (about six percent), sub Saharan Africa is yet to contribute significantly to world trade in cassava with about three (3) percent recorded in the early part of the millennium.

The principal buyer of cassava in the Europe is Netherlands, (accounting for over 40 percent of total Europe imports); Germany (about 20 per cent), Belgium and Luxembourg (about 13 percent), France (eight percent), U.K (10 percent) and Italy (two percent). Details breakdown would be given to prospective investors the exportable quality standard.

Quality Feed millers are very critical about quality.

Consistency of quality is very important for them to maintain the standards of their products.

Quality is usually in terms of nutritive value. Minimum standard specifications are as follows 70 percent, 70 percent and 62 percent stand for chips, flour and pellets respectively while moisture content is 14 percent, fiber five percent and ash-three percent content for all the three products.

Details would be given to prospective investors on contacting the writer.

Chips are normally white or near white, clean, free of mould, foreign matter insect damage and without off odours. Length of chips should be 4-5mm. It should be noted that if quality standard is not maintained the export project is bound to collapse. Therefore must be worked out carefully.

Direction of Export The direction of cassava export is mainly Europe and North America with European Union accounting for about 90 percent of the total buyers. Details of the foreign buyers of industrial starch, cassava chips & pellets and

Transportation and Handling Transportation and handling constitute high levels of cost of inputs in preparation of cassava for export. This is due to the bulky nature of the product. This cost could be as high as 50 per cent of total cost.

Uses Cassava is used mainly for producing animal feed. The dry roots chips and pellets are usually preferred by industrial animal feeds producers in America and Europe.

Alcohol is also extracted from cassava. Textile industries and food industries need starch.

Production Nigeria is a major producer of this tropical crops with output conservatively put at over 80, 000 metric tons as the end of 2012.

However, until 1996, cassava and its allied products were on the export prohibition list.

From 1996, its ban was lifted. With this policy action, Nigeria exporters were given the opportunity to develop export markets for this product.

Apart from Nigeria other major tropical developing countries that produce cassava include Brazil, Thailand, Indonesia and Zaire.

Nigeria’s over 60,000 metric tonnes is almost totally processed and consumed locally.

Packaging Packing is done in sacks of cotton, multicraft paper bags or clean jute bag; pellets should be uniform in shape and size, less fragile and should be compatible for handling, storage and transportation. Palletising equipments exist for production of pellets.

Prospective investors should not afraid of the quality control because the writer through years of experience can guide any investor to

The Processing Plants The plants and machinery for setting up the cassava chips and pellets, industrial starch and flour are locally available. However, arrangements can be made for foreign machines on request. There are foreign machines from Brazil, South Korea, Japan, India etc. Prospective investors would be given the details and would be comprehensively worked out in the bankable feasibility studies report. The raw materials, labour and all other required inputs are locally available.

All other essential details including accommodation, manpower, production technology, packaging and marketing will be embodied in a bankable and comprehensive feasibility report for prospective investor.

Chips & Pellets Industrial starch flour Garri Financial Implications as at January 2020 is in our records. Interested investors should contact the writer. 15,500,000 55,000,000 60,500,000 15,000,000 Investment Analysis Chips & Pellets Industrial starch flour Garri Payback period Within 1 year Within 1 year Within 1 year Within 1 year Return on investment 52% 68% 40% 60% Net Cash-flows(surplus) 1st year N68m N85m N76m N258m Gross profit1st year N33m N48m N43m N78m Net profit after tax 1st year N23m N26m N38m N43m There is another good advantage that is worth mentioning that prospective investors will derive from investing into this project.

The EPZ (export processing zones) can provide accommodation to serious investors.

At the same time would ensure quality processing of their export products. Details would be given to prospective investors on contacting the writer.

The writer will guide prospective investors professionally to ensure that all opportunities are tapped (including government’s incentives and funds for Agriculture) good packaging, quality products and efficient/ effective management is installed for profits.

The writer will also assist in the sourcing of the required funds (where necessary) and obtaining NAFDAC approval. For details contact the writer -Uba can be reached via 08034494437

G20 and Mass Credit Rating Downgrades Charles Robertson The virus is now sweeping into emerging and frontier markets. Any hope that the virus does not spread in hotter climes is looking misplaced. The bigger problem for EM and frontier is that many cannot afford lockdown – or this is what Pakistan’s PM Imran Khan said a few days ago. We are nonetheless seeing some measures introduced there, as cases reached 776 yesterday (53 a week ago).

This makes the G20 summit due later this week of considerable importance. The G7 need to fund mass testing around the world if they are to contain a global problem (perhaps lending money at G7 interest rates – ie close to zero). I assume simply shutting off the borders to the rest of the world is not a viable solution on a 12-month horizon. You will have seen the massive downward GDP revisions for the US (double digit second quarter 2020 declines on a Quarter-on-Quarter basis) – the talk of millions being added to the unemployment figures this week, and the Fed’s Bullard saying 30 per cent unemployment would show the lockdown is working.

There is clamour for the US to pass a big fiscal stimulus package – but the G7 need to look up for a second and see the crisis that is now spreading to the rest of the world. That took about 6 months in 2008/09 – but needs to be less than six weeks, preferably less than six days.

What we only just recognised today (!) is that credit ratings should be downgraded globally. Debt ratios are obviously going to soar, budget deficits will widen out, growth

will be smacked, and no country warrants a sovereign rating upgrade in this environment.

The question is only whether there is any way that some countries might keep their current ratings (China and Russia perhaps?), whether DM gets cut less than EM (perhaps), and how badly Frontier markets are downgraded. At a guess, we should see 2-3 (?) notch downgrades for single B rated credits, 2 notches for BB, and at least one rating taken off most investment grade countries. This is back of

the envelope stuff. We will do some work on this today. Again only very significant G7 and IMF support would justify a better outlook for ratings.

Nigeria – good news on the multiple exchange rates collapsing. Obviously the foreign exchange needs to be much weaker than 380/$ but this shift helps (particularly the official rate moving from 307 towards 360-380 ‌ which is the rate at which oil revenues are converted to naira). Kenya – rate cut possible this week Conclusion Yes, one day of Italy data is encouraging and in line with our forecasts, but we need more than a day, and the global economic shock suggests plenty of bad news to come.

US fiscal package and unemployment figures will be major this week. G20 I don’t have high hopes for – but they need to pull their finger out – otherwise significant global sovereign rating downgrades are inevitable and the virus will be hard to contain.

-Robertson is the Global Chief Economist at Renaissance Capital

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Building Competitive Agricultural Economy Oluchi Chibuzor examines factors that makes agriculture critical

T

he Nigerian economy remains the biggest in Africa.

Analysts say the economy clearly has size and is on the path to meet its food production needs due to its comparative advantage in agriculture.

According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), Nigeria has many opportunities to transform its economy particularly in agroprocessing and special agro-processing zones could promote agro-industrial development and employment.

The agriculture sector grew by 14.88 percent year-on-year in nominal terms in Q3 2019 recording a decline of—2.89 percent points and 7.7 percent points for the preceding Q2 and Q1 which recorded 17.76 percent and 22.58 percent points growth respectively.

Also, the sector grew by 2.28 percent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2019, an increase by 0.37 percent points from the corresponding period of 2018, and 0.49 percent points from the preceding quarter which recorded a growth rate of 1.79 percent, it however, fell 0.82percent points against 3.17percent recorded for Q1 2019.

In terms of contribution, the sector contributed 29.25 per cent to overall real GDP during the quarter, same as a contribution in the third quarter of 2018 but higher than the second and first quarters of 2019 which stood at 22.78 percent and 21.91percent respectively.

Crop production grew by 2.41 per cent in Q3 2019 from 1.94 per cent in Q2 2019 while Q1 recorded 3.27 percent, livestock sector grew by 0.02percent in Q3 2019 after it contracted by -0.01 percent in Q2 2019 from 0.88 percent in Q1 2019.

Forestry grew by 2.1percent in Q1 2019; 3.23 percent in Q2 and 3.78 percent in Q3, while fishing grew by 7.09 percent in Q1; 1.09 percent in Q2 and 1.68 percent in Q3.

Diversification Speaking on the issue, the Vice President, Nigeria Agribusiness Group, Dr. Emmanuel Ijewere, stressed the importance of diversifying the economy.

He said the process has already started with the farmers at the fore front, adding that if agriculture was taken seriously it is the biggest provided of job, opportunities for people to remain in the villages and develop the villages than everybody coming to the cities.

With the efforts by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to farmers, stakeholders acknowledged the apex bank was determined to support more farm activities with competitive and comparative local advantages and protect them by restricting food importation.

Ijewere, stated that several factors combine to position the nation as the largest economy in the continent, while expressing satisfaction on the CBN’s commitment to aggregates farmers and investors to a single platform where it becomes necessary to off-takes agricultural produce in different parts of the country.

He added: “It is a statement of fact that the Nigerian economy is the largest in Africa, the next to it is South Africa, followed by Egypt and then Algeria. I think the economy itself one did not know was the largest until it was re-calibrated

by Okonjo Iweala,� he said.

He maintained that the reason for this was that over 55 percent of Nigeria economy was in the informal area-those who trade by the streets, and no records of them was kept.

He noted that this was not just because of what government has done or its various developmental programmes in the agricultural sector, it has been building up over time. “The situation is huge; the population has to be fed, clothe, provide accommodation and transportation for them; all this makes it the biggest economy because of the huge population we have. “On top of that we have been able to make much progress, because while it is not enough, but at least the economy has been fueled by the oil and gas resources the nation has. Yes, we have not progress as much we should progress but the economy and the economic activities in Nigeria are very dynamic.

On the progress made within the agricultural sector and with respect to food production, the renowned farmer congratulates the apex bank on its Anchor Borrower’s Programme, stressing that it has not gotten to where it ought to be, “it has started working. “It will take a long time to break a habit of people but now things will take shape and is based on one fundamental issue that one does not produce what people do not want.

So the ABP programmes link who is buying with the person who is producing or the farmer with a person providing the fund, so this is bringing all the parties together, which makes it a fantastic initiative of the CBN

In other word it must be based on demand. “Our economy in the past, when government was in whole control of the economy and agriculture in particular, they just kept on producing without asking what do the people want, but with ABP, the anchor is that person whom is going to say I want your goods and will give specification of its goods and then CBN will help those who want to produce it. “So the ABP programmes link who is buying with the person who is producing or the farmer with a person providing the fund, so this is bringing all the parties together, which makes it a fantastic initiative of the CBN. “However the growth will not happen overnight but it is a beginning to take root and is making progress towards encouraging food production in the country.�

On his part, the Chairman Agricultural Trade Group of Nigerian Associations of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Ade Adefeko, said, the ABP has been largely successful though there a few defaults which was to be expected but largely positive. “What people are doing now is to change their palettes and eat local and backward integration efforts are being intensified by local companies but the impact will be felt only much later,� he maintained.�

Increased Agro-commodity Value Chain Ijewere stated that diversifying the economy was. He said agriculture should be taken seriously as it is the biggest provider of jobs and opportunities for people. “We have improved the value chain from farming to table and so that is the situation that is beginning to happen now,� he said.

Adefeko however appreciated the CBN’s effort in the agro-value chain, adding that, “banks are doing their bit but can do more. They are being encouraged to lend to the informal sector.�

The CBN on their own have come with numerous intervention funds

for Rice, Maize, Tomato, Oil Palm and now DAIRY,� Adefeko added.

The central bank recently hosted a meeting on how to transform the cocoa industry with stakeholders drawn from across the country.

On how to ensure that the backward integration achieved it purposes, Ijewere revealed that the weakest part so far has been the value chain from the farm. “Nigeria loses a lot of its produce because of mishandling so you have a lot of post-harvest loss. We are trying to encourage people to come in to help reduce these losses by off-taking what the farmers have produce by preserving and processing the produce,� he demanded.

Chiemeka Azubuieke, a Poultry consultant on Noiler Birds to Nigeria Market Development for the Niger Delta Programme (MADE), a DFID supported project, said farmers have benefited in the backward integration of the government. “With the introduction of Entrepreneurship Development Institute, over 40,000 farmers in Imo state have not received any fund despite the herculean task of proposal development and we keep asking when will there be a proactive procedure for farmers to access funds as obtains in other parts in the continents. “The economy is the largest in Africa, but we should begin to have mechanism in place to improved road access, Good Agricultural Practices(GAP) for every value chain, establish farming estates and see the sector as a developmental project that encourages Agricultural students to work mainly in farms right from the colleges and universities. “The economy managers should begin to see how they can use the national demand gap for some food items to formulate policy that recognises the geographical locations. “For example in Baruten Local government in Kwara State, we have good supply of goats, that we can improve the meat value chain, in South-east, oil palm is doing well, and we should have small cottage oil millers that can produce standard products for export to benefits from the huge market potential of the economy.�

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T H I S D AY ˞ ˜ Ͱʹ˜ Ͱ͎Ͱ͎

Photo Editor ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜ ÔËÖË Email Ă‹ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜Ë›Ă‹Ă”Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ĚśĂžĂ’Ă“Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ–Ă“Ă Ă?Ë›Ă?Ù×

Cross section of Commissioners taken Oath of office before the lmo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma in Owerri...recently

Commandeer, Rapid Response Squad, (RRS) Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu flanked by his men, led his team of RRS to Bishop Vining Memorial Church, Ikeja GRA, on patrol to enforce Lagos State Government directive against crowded gathering of more than 50 people including places of worship in Lagos‌recently

L-R: .Nigerian Navy Liaison Officer, Commander, Abdulsalami Sani ; Director Defence Media Operation, Brigadier-Genera Ben Onyeuko; Coordinator Defence Media Operation, Major-General John Enenche and Nigerian Air Force Liaison Officer, Squadron Leader, Alaere Obidake, during a press briefing by the military on their operations across the nation at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja...recently enock reuben

Cross section of stranded students of Tertiary Institutions in Ekiti State, awaiting vehicles to their destinations after the Federal/State Government closure of Schools, due to the Coronavirus Pandemic in Ado Ekiti...recently L-R: Application Specialist, biomerieux, Mr. Lucky Izekor; Chief Science Technologist,Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Mrs. Toun Fesobi; Director, NIMR, Prof. Stella Smith; and Chief Science Technologist, NIMR, Mr. Moses Bamidele, at the hands- on training session on Microbial ID/AST organised by Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Department, NIMR in partnership with Biomerieux in Yaba, Lagos..recently etop ukutt

L-R: Secretary to Delta state Government, Mr. Chiedu Ebie; Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mordi Ononye; andCommissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, during an inspection of the Isolation and Treatment Centre at the Asaba Specialist Hospital in preparation against the COVID-19 pandemic.recently

Acting Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Chief Ibanga Bassey; the Acting Executive Director, Projects, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh; and the Acting Managing Director, Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei during the visit of NDDC management team to assess the progress of work at the 13th floor office complex headquaters of the Commission in Portharcourt...recently

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L-R: Commissioner for Health Dr Raji Razaq; Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; and State Director for Public Health Dr Oluwatosin Fakayode; during the inspection of Isolation Centre in Ilorin...recently

L-R: Member of the Investiture Planning Committee, Chartered Institute of Tax of Nigeria (CITN), Ikeja and District Society, Mr.Olaoti Bolarinwa; Chairman, Planning Committee, Mr. Austine Ngozika; New Chairman,Ă‚Â CITN, Ikeja and District Society, Mr. Funsho Olutayo Abidakun; and Member, Planning Committee, Mr. Adewale Olatunde, at the Investiture ceremony of Abidakun as the 9th district Chairman in Lagos...recently ETOP UKUTT

L-R: Representative of the Managing Director, ANAMMCO Limited (AL), assemblers of DONGFENG trucks, Mr Olalekan Sanyaolu; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Chief Jumbo Ofor and Minister of state for Mines and Steel Development, Mr Uche Ogah, during the presentation of best stand certificate to AL, during the close of ECCIMA’s 31st International Trade Fair in Enugu... recently

Delta State Government inspects another Isolation and Treatment centre in preparation against COVID-19 in Asaba..recently

Officials of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) monitoring compliance of N125 per litre of petrol in Katsina... recently

L-R: Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi washing his hands after the inspection of on-going project at the State Secretariat. Ado Ekiti...recently

L-R - , Ikeja Central Mosque lmams, Alfa Sulaman Ojolowo; Alfa Jimoh Aromire Area Marketing Manager Hypo Bleach, Mr. Adetunji Aderinfo and Chairman Committee, Ikeja Central Mosque, Alhaji Abduraheem Ajao during Hypo Place of Worship Sensitization at Ikeja Central Mosque, Ikeja, Lagos...recently

34

T H I S D AY ˾ , MARCH 26, 2020

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

ÜÙßÚ ÏËÞßÜÏÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ˝ ÒÓÏ×ÏÖÓÏ äÏÙÌÓ ×ËÓÖ chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 08038901925

Abimiku: Nigeria Should Prepare for Ventilators Now, Set up Team of Leaders to Tackle COVID-19 Pandemic Alash’le Abimiku is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland, United States, and the Executive Director, International Research for Human Virology Nigeria. In this interview with Martins Ifijeh, the respected virologist and researcher shared light on the nature of COVID-19 and what government at all levels, stakeholders and the citizens must do to defeat the growing spread of the pandemic in Nigeria. She also spoke on the need for governments to prepare for ventilators now, why chloroquine is not the answer, and when there is likely going to be vaccines and cure for the dreaded virus

I

our borders or dictate where the viruses go to so I am not sure we have any security against vaccines.

s chloroquine a treatment regime for COVID-19?

This has not been established scientifically. In medicine, it is not unusual that a drug that has been used for one treatment has an activity against another kind of infection. Sometimes, people will tell you they are treating malaria and suddenly their hypertension is getting better.

Chloroquine hasn’t been proven, but the person pushing it says it may have some anti-viral activities as well. We know chloroquine is used to treat malaria which is a parasite, and COVID-19 is a virus, so it is possible it may have some viral activities for COVID-19, but there has to be some scientific trials to show that if you have COVID-19 and when you take chloroquine it will do better for the illness.

For me, if for instance I have COVID-19, I will not go to the pharmacy to buy chloroquine because it has not been proven. I would rather take extractive juice, water melon, cucumber, bitter leaf, etc. I would make sure I am exercising and taking those juices good for my immune system than running around to buying chloroquine. If I have malaria I could buy chloroquin, but not for COVID-19.

Is there any form of immunity against COVID-19?

We know research institutes are making money available for research. I heard even the Central Bank of Nigeria is making money available for research.

We know for a fact that if you get infected, one of the reasons you get better is because your immune system fights it, and you get immune responses, but this disease just started, so we don’t know how long this immune response last. Overtime, individuals will be studied to know whether they have been able to mount up the appropriate immune response against the disease, and how long the immune response can last. All of that hasn’t been studied. But I am sure that right, especially in China; people are looking at those aspects. But usually that’s what these viruses do. When they come we mount up immune responses.

If someone’s immune system at the time he or she gets rid of COVID-19 is at certain level, and after a while it goes down, it means the person will succumb to infection. But for instance, yellow fever vaccination for life ensures the person’s immune system stays above the infection for life.

We hear of cases of people who after treatment for COVID-19, eventually die of lung issues. Is this true?

I don’t think we have had enough time after infection with COVID-19 to really know what happens. Thousands of people have been treated successfully for COVID-19, especially in China; those people will have to be monitored for a period of time to see how well they do.

Part of the treatment for COVID-19 is to make the lungs function better. That is why ventilators are very important. We know there are people that have COVID-19 and remain well for a period of time. We don’t know if after a while they succumb to some of the clinical symptoms. We know the incubation period is within 14 days. There was a case of someone who began to show symptoms after 27 days. We really have to follow a few for much longer to see what happens.

When the test is done you might be negative at that time. Nobody knows what happens a

Is Nigeria ready to tackle disease outbreaks, especially COVID-19, considering the lean amount budgeted for national health security?

I don’t think Nigeria is the United States where disease prevention is giving so much priority.

Nevertheless, it doesn’t sound like we have appropriately budgeted for health in general.

When you look at the situation, you will see everyone has a role to play. What we do at home is prevention, and then NCDC does surveillance, informs us of what should watch out for. Then if the disease breaks through these barriers, do we have the health facility for it, we do not have ventilators, etc.

So, if you look at this continuum of care, it is totally under budgeted. Nigeria in 2001 agreed at the Abuja declaration that 15 per cent of the entire budget should go to health, but we have not done it. I don’t think we are well funded.

What are we doing with all the resources we have in Nigeria? What are we doing to solve this problem. How are we bringing all of the media people, churches, market women, mosques, economists, public private partnerships, academia, researchers, the Dangotes of this world and all of that together to solve the problem?

Are we getting ventilators, laboratories for testing? We are not doing that right now. We have NAFDAC, pharmaceutical firms, airlines for moving cargos, etc, there is a role everyone can play. Government’s role is not only to bring out the money, but leadership. I am worried for us because I am not seeing the leadership at the moment.

Abimiku

day after because if you touch surfaces or touch someone who has it, you might contact it. That is why we must continue to push the idea of distancing, hand washing, and be careful not to

There is no treatment, all we have is prevention and we need to let the people know this. What the common Nigerian on the street has in his hand is all of the precautions.

Social distancing should be observed, stay at home, and those who have gone to high risk countries should observe 14 days self-isolation. ..We need to prepare for ventilators.

If the United States is running out of ventilators, it shows we must prepare in hand for it

put our hands to our face. It is good for us to be tested, but we do not want a situation where someone is tested and goes about to say he does not have to worry about COVID-19 anymore.

What do we do right now since the outbreak is already in Nigeria?

With our population, we don’t have enough infrastructure and testing facilities to tackle COVID-19. So one thing we know we can do something about is the messaging. We should see our president talking about it all the time; we should see all of our governors, local government chairmen, imams and pastors talking about it.

Messages of prevention are very important at this time. There is no treatment, all we have is prevention and we need to let the people know this. What the common Nigerian on the street has in his hand is all of the precautions. Social distancing should be observed, stay at home, and those who have gone to high risk countries should observe 14 days self-isolation. We need to prepare for ventilators. If the United States is running out of ventilators, it shows Nigeria must prepare in hand for it now.

We often establish several securities as a nation; from cyber security to financial security. Is there any virology security in Nigeria?

The only security we can get against the virus is vaccine but right now we do not have a vaccine.

This is still a challenge. Right now we can’t protect

Nigeria budgets highly for national security, especially because of insurgency, kidnapping at the likes. Shouldn’t this priority be given to national health security as well?

This is an area I speak as a common man because that is not my area of expertise. How can we talk about national security and we are not securing the health of the nation. Why are we having this artificial division? If you are a governor of a state and your citizens are dying for COVID-19 then who are you governing?

There must be security against kidnapping and all, but you also need to have security for their health and economy. What should be happening is discussion across all individuals, including the military, economy, medical personnel, etc whether for kidnapping or from a disease so that we can put our resources where it should be.

Why protect me against kidnapping when I can die from diseases due to poor healthcare. Right now the priority is COVID-19, so government must move resources to where it is needed. This is how I will expect my government to protect me. That is my security.

What is the potential damage of COVID-19 to Nigeria?

Do you ever think that a virus will bring us to a standstill? That we will close our borders totally? I was to have a meeting this March somewhere, but I told people I will watch what happens in China regarding COVID-19 before

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

T H I S D AY ˾ , MARCH 26, 2020

35

HEALTH

ABIMIKU: NIGERIA SHOULD PREPARE FOR VENTILATORS NOW, SET UP TEAM OF LEADERS TO TACKLE COVID-19 PANDEMIC fever has gone on for too long, may be because it is an African thing, so the rest of the world is uninterested in pulling any money into it.

The governments on the African continent will not be forgiving in history because Africa was the last continent to be hit by COVID-19. We had all of the opportunities to learn from other continents when it started ravaging them. We had all the opportunities to prevent this, but we never took action I make any travel. I told them not to buy my ticket. The danger we have as human beings is that we say it is happening far away from us, so it’s not our business. Look at HIV; it was exactly the same problem. We were thinking they are the ones kissing dogs and that we don’t do that here in Nigeria, before you knew it, we started having it. When COVID-19 started, US described it as China’s problem, but now it is US’s problem.

The governments on the African continent will not be forgiving in history because Africa was the last continent to be hit by COVID-19. We had all of the opportunities to learn from other continents when it started ravaging them. We had all the opportunities to prevent this, but we never took action.

When are we expecting vaccines and drugs for cure for COVID-19?

Unlike bacteria, viruses are very difficult to get cures on. HIV broke that circle. Companies worked really hard for antiretroviral drugs for treatment.

But if you think of the viral infections we are having, most of the drugs we have are vaccines.

I believe there will be a vaccine for COVID-19, but whether it will be developed on time is what we do not know for now.

Companies are putting a 24-hour resources together to ensure vaccines are developed in record time but it will take time. It will take about another nine months. More and more industries have been encouraged to target different parts of the virus to see if they can develop drugs against it.

Why don’t we have a cure for HIV AIDS yet?

We don’t have a cure and we don’t have a vaccine for HIV just yet. This is not because of lack of efforts. It is just a virus that has a lot of potential to mutate. It is also a virus we refer to as retrovirus because it takes over the machinery of your body system.

So, anything that may hit the virus will make sure that it protects the body but the fact that the HIV virus integrates into the genome of the cell to produce its self makes it even twice as hard because how can you separate the virus from your own body? So that’s the challenge because honestly when I did my post graduate in the US in 1996, all of my work was testing various experimental cases that are coming from Africa and I can’t believe that 30 years after, we still don’t have a vaccine. I think because of these two things; it integrates into our cells and replicates its self in the whole body DNA. That is why they call it retro because it produces its self, using the body’s own DNA machinery.

When people talk about conspiracy theories like planting some biological weapons to kill the world, I refer them to HIV. What can be more brilliant or dangerous than HIV.

Abimiku

Viruses, than other organisms, have the capacity to mutate. That is why vaccines are very important.

Vaccines put the body ahead of the virus such that the virus has no time to multiply and mutate.

Without vaccine and immunity, virus has the capacity to mutate and spread. It also sharpens its capability. That is why sometimes one gets virus, and the virus finds a way to resist what you are applying to kill it, hence newly mutated ones are more dangerous than the previous ones. That is what is happening with HIV right now. You can no longer find the weak HIV strain we used to have. What we have now is the tough strain.

Some people say when one is exposed to the virus and touches his mouth the virus can actually go down to the digestive system where acid could kill it off. They say the issue is only in the nose since it resides in the respiratory tract.

Kindly clarify whether the virus latches only to the nose or could go through into the body through anywhere in the face?

Our skin by nature helps protect the body against infections and there is a thick layer between

the skin and the blood vessels. But it is not the same for our face. Around our mouth, nose and eyes, our membranes are thin and blood vessels are very close to the surfaces of the skin. It is easy to scratch the surface around these places and one will bleed.

You have done researches on Lassa fever.

When are we having a cure?

We are working towards getting a vaccine against it. I don’t think we will have a cure just yet. We are very focused towards three areas; one is improving the diagnosis so that samples can be collected immediately and results are available. People will no longer have to wait for two weeks to get their results. You know people can die waiting. So we are working on a very simple point of care so that any laboratory can do the diagnosis.

The second thing is that we are trying to see some similarities between Lassa fever and HIV. Then the third research that we are part of is trying to see whether our site can test the experimental vaccine to see which one would be effective. This

Why is it that in Nigeria, HIV pregnant women who take their drugs are advised to breastfeed, while in the US they are advised not to even though their viral loads comes down to zero?

This depends on where the person is. The US health system is high enough for mothers not to breast feed and their infants will still be protected, because the infant gets all the vaccinations, gets all the supplementary feeding such that the infant is not missing out any essential nutrient. Their environments are clean. But here, if you tell the woman not to breastfeed, what are the alternatives.

Does supplementary feeding have what it takes to protect the infant? Can the mothers protect them against the environment? So they are asked to breastfeed because the alternative is not there. How many of these mothers can afford even formula let alone clean water. All these things have no capacity to protect the child against diseases.

The breast milk is sterile, it is clean, there isn’t much more to do because there is a lot of nutrients in breast milk.

COVID-19: Foundation Admonishes Nigerians to Stay at Home Mary Nnah The Akin Fadeyi Foundation, conveners of the Corruption, Not in My Country Project, has called on all religious, political and traditional institutions in Nigeria to adhere to the government and World Health Organisation’s directive on the restriction of all religious and political gatherings.

A statement signed by the organisation’s Founder and ED, Akin Fadeyi, read thus, “the rate of infections and tragic mortalities around the globe has underscored such compelling need for all of us to yield to government directive.

“Irrespective of our country’s level of coordination, surveillance and critical preparedness, as citizens, we still have a huge role to play within our communities to ensure the prevention or reduction of human-to-human transmission.

“This will not only protect us; it will also reduce the pressure on our nation’s health workers who are staking everything on the front-line to keep us alive”.

Fadeyi said COVID-19 death toll has been on the rise across the world, necessitating travel bans and border closures. For the first time since after the Second World War, the whole world is

facing an anomalous challenge containing the deadly COVID-19.

“The virus was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation following the high number of reported cases in China, Italy, Iran, Spain, Germany, S. Korea, France, US, UK and other countries, with a current record of over 8,000 deaths and 219,000 reported cases. Following the most recent report issued by the Nigerian “Government, there are a total of 42 confirmed cases in the country.

“To this end and as a preventive measure, the federal government has issued a travel ban on the US,

UK and 11 other countries, whilst schools are also being shut down.

Nonetheless, Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control (‘NCDC’) has developed a new guideline for people to stay in self-isolation.

“In the guideline called the ‘Self Isolation Guidance for Nigeria’, citizens returning into the country especially from China, Japan, Italy, Republic of Korea, Iran, France, Germany, and Spain are advised to adhere strictly to the 14 days self-isolation rules to prevent further exposure or spreading of the disease to other members of the society.”

Fadeyi said however that if religious and political gatherings are still being observed unabated, Nigerian citizens and indeed foreigners amongst us would be vulnerable to the risk of infection, at a time where even the best scientist in the world are still grappling with straws to find a cure.

“We commend the NCDC for its timely release of information and efforts since the outbreak of COVID-19, even as we acknowledge their possible challenges in the face of infrastructural shortfalls in our healthcare system”, he added.

“While the Akin Fadeyi Foundation would like to convey its heartfelt wishes to all currently affected by the COVID-19 virus and wish them a speedy recovery, we urge our fellow citizens not to panic, but to thoroughly adhere to the WHO’s protocol for prevention.

“This includes consistent handwash with soap under running water for 30 seconds, social distancing, and avoidance of crowd, sneezing and coughing into elbow, and by all means, quickly reporting symptomatic signs to authorities concerned”, he stressed.

COVID-19: Osun Suspends Weekly Markets Indefinitely, Sensitises Market Women Ayodeji Ake As part of efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Osun State, its government has directed that all market activities be suspended indefinitely.

This is just as it embarked on a sensitisation exercise to educate market women under the aegis of Association of Osun Market Women on the virus and the need for them to practice good hygiene.

The Commissioner for Health, Osun State, Dr Rafiu Isamotu,

who led the government delegation on the sensitisation visit to the market women, disclosed the government’s decision to shut down the weekly markets.

Isamotu stated that the lock down was necessary due to the fact that Osun has boundaries with some states that have cases of the COVID-19, adding that only the daily market, which attracts relatively low patronage as against the weekly markets would be allowed to go on for now, but with strict precautionary measures in place.

The commissioner therefore urged the market women to support government’s effort in containing the spread of the disease by putting up hand-washing points and providing sanitisers for everyone who patronises them.

He also warned people against loitering at markets, urging them to leave immediately after performing their transactions.

He maintained that Osun Government under the leadership of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola was ready to combat the deadly virus hence the proactive measures

set up to protect the citizens. In her remarks, the Special Adviser to Osun Governor on Commerce, Cooperatives and Industries, Mrs Christiana Ogunfolaju said that safety measures were one of the keys to overcome the spread of Coronavirus and any other disease.

She urged the market women present at the meeting to pass on the message to others who were not present.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Women, Children and Social Affairs, Barrister Mrs Olubukola Olaboopo advised the

market women to ensure compliance and good hygiene and to notify appropriate authorities if anyone is suspected to be infected with the virus. The Osun Iyaloja General, Alhaja Awawu Asindemade in her address appreciated the Governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola for the proactive measures taken in ensuring the safety of the citizens. Asindemade said the association of market women was ever ready to comply with the directive and regulations of the state government for the benefit of all, assuring that the daily markets

allowed to open for transactions will not be abused. She added that the sensitisation would be passed on to all market women in Osun.

Other government officials at the Sensitization meeting include: Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Adedayo Adewole, Commissioner for Rural and Community Affairs Mr Olusegun Olanibi and Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties Engr Olalekan Badmus.

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T H I S D AY ˾ , MARCH 26, 2020

NEWS

COVID-19: Selfless Priest Dies after Giving Up Respirator to Save Younger Patient Sunday Ehigiator A 72-year-old Italian Priest, Father Giuseppe Berardelli has died of the COVID-19 pandemic after selflessly giving his own respirator to a younger patient he did not know.

Berardelli, till his death last week, was the main priest in Casnigo, a Municipality in the Province of Bergamo, which is now the epicentre of the worst Covid-19 outbreak in the world.

According to reports, his parishioners reportedly bought him the respirator – which is in desperately short supply – after learning that he suffered with pre-existing health issues.

But the priest gave up the device after hearing of a younger patient who was struggling to breathe because of COVID-19, which has now killed more than 7, 000 people in Italy.

Residents of Casnigo applauded from their windows and balconies as his coffin was been taken for burial after his death at Lovere hospital, according to local media. The age and condition of the patient who received the respirator remained unknown.

However, tributes and ac-

colades are currently being shown to the late priest on social media.

Jesuit Priest, James Martin, from the US, who is also a consult to the Vatican’s Secretariat for Communications, led the tributes to Berardelli online, he wrote, “Greater love has no person (John 15:13).

He is a Martyr of charity, a saint like St. Maximilian Kolbe, who in Auschwitz volunteered to take the place of a condemned man with a family, and was killed.

“Don Giuseppe Berardelli, patron of those who suffer from COVID-19 and all who care for them, pray for us.”

Some 60 priests are said to have died from COVID-19 in Italy after the Pope called on them to “have courage” to help the sick.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Italy rose to 70,016 from 59,138 on Monday, but the rate of people dying appeared to have slowed slightly.

The World Health Organisation said on Tuesday that “85 per cent of COVID-19 cases reported over the past 24 hours have been in Europe and the United States.”

LagosSeals32Illegal,Unregistered Pharmacies,PatentMedicineStores Martins Ifijeh Lagos State Taskforce on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods has shut 32 pharmacies and patent medicine stores for offences bordering on illegal operation and operating beyond scope of practice.

The Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, who disclosed this recently after reviewing the report of the first enforcement exercise carried out by the Pharmaceutical Inspectorate Unit of the Ministry for year 2020 said that the affected premises include those located in Dopemu, Mangoro, Cement, Oniwaya, Ayobo-Ipaja, OrileAgege, Akinogun, Mosan and Ikola axis of Agege and Alimosho Local Government Areas of the state.

Abayomi noted that the sealing of the affected pharmacies and patent medicine stores was in accordance with the provisions of Section C34 of the Counterfeit,

Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods Miscellaneous Provision Act of 1999.

The commissioner explained further that the affected pharmacies and patent medicine shops were sealed for offences including operations without license, engaging unqualified persons to man and dispense drugs to unsuspecting citizens, operating beyond scope through sale of ethical products, displaying and storing drugs in un-conducive environments which compromises the potency of the drugs there by rendering them ineffective.

He however stressed that only licensed patent medicine vendors are authorised to sell only drug products in their original packs in approved pack size as produced by the manufacturing companies as the law prohibits dispensing and wholesaling of drugs by patent medicine vendors as the law also prohibits wholesalers operating outside their scope by selling drugs in retail.

Abayomi assured that the

present administration remains committed to putting a halt to the ugly trend of having unqualified personnel deal with drugs and will continue to insist that the environment for the dispensation of medical care should be suitable for the promotion and maintenance of good health.

Speaking in the same vein, Director Pharmaceutical Services, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Moyosore Adejumo said that the state government will not relent in its efforts to stop the inherent dangers associated with the operations of unlicensed pharmaceutical outlets and drug shops.

Adejumo added that the taskforce through the Pharmaceutical Inspectorate Unit (PIU) of the Pharmaceutical Services Directorate has been re-energised to intensify the on-going war against fake, expired and substandard drugs being peddled by unlicensed and illegal premises.

“This closure is thus part of the government’s renewed efforts

to sanitise the drug distribution system and curb proliferation of fake drugs in the State” Adejumo said.

She explained that an investigative meeting would be held with owners of the sealed premises to make further inquiries on the status of the sealed premises and to notify them of the procedures and appropriate conditions to be met for reopening in line with government regulations and payment of administrative fee.

She however noted that the enforcement and compliance raid by the State Task force on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods was carried out in collaboration with the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Pharmacists’ Council of Nigeria (PCN), Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Federal Taskforce on fake drugs and the Police Officers from Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Task Force) of Lagos Police Command.

Foundation Launches Comic Book for Young Adults with Sickle Cell Rebecca Ejiforma A nongovernmental organisation, Cells of a Generation (COAG) is set to unveil the Didi Project, an educative comic book for young people living with Sickle Cell Disorder (SCD), which aims at preparing them and young adults for healthy, long, fulfilling lives while living with the disorder.

The organisation made this known in a press release it issued to introduce Project Didi to help SCD patients across the country.

Sickle Cell Disorder (SCD) is one of the most common genetic diseases worldwide and its highest prevalence occurs in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially Nigeria.

According to the Sickle Cell Disorder Foundation (SCDF), approximately 250 million people worldwide carry the gene responsible for SCD and over 300,000 babies with this haemoglobin disorder are born each year.

The Founder of COAG, Sharon Browne-Peter, said that the Didi Project was the opening project to a much bigger conversation on the issue of the Sickle Cell Disorder,.

She said: “These comics would open the conversation for greater systematic issues that people with disabilities face every day in Nigeria, which ultimately would improve the knowledge of the issues surrounding SCD and the conditions of those with the disorder.”

The project is an educational comic book that portrays the life of a 13-year-old Didi. “Didi is our comic character. Through her stories, readers get a first-hand look into her life while dealing

with the condition”.

COAG noted that it would be strategically collaborating with other organisations for special interventions at schools and clinics throughout the year.

“These interventions will have informative activities tailored to SCD patients, caregivers, parents and carriers for the teeming benefit of Didi and friends”.

According to the founder, these interventions seek to prepare every child and young adult living with sickle cell anaemia for healthy, long and fulfilling lives.

Browne-Peter, who is also living with SCD, further noted that the Didi project has been a long-awaited childhood dream of hers which is now coming to life.

She decried the social challenges: “There are many structural issues to tackle in Nigeria for sickle cell sufferers; from the enforcement of mandatory early diagnosis screenings in infants to everyday stigmatisation, especially in the workplace.”

Although many organisations have rolled up their sleeves to tackle these issues already in West Africa, COAG hopes to have more partners this year to join in the fight.

Having been in existence for about six months now, COAG initiative services have been especially useful for caregivers.

Sharon highlighted: “Nevertheless, we are building a community of SCD fighters that share helpful knowledge and support one another.

These people, like me, have gradually improved their overall health by just having the right information”.

ELBOWGREETING FOR HEALTHY LIVING

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu (l); and All Progressive Congress (APC) National Leader, AsiwajuTinubu dispalying the elbow greeting during a press briefing to announce measures against COVID-19, held in Lagos recently

Former Health Commissioner Calls for Technology to Improve Healthcare in Nigeria Rebecca Ejifoma The former Commissioner for Health, Kwara State, and Publisher of Healthcare Magazine, Dr. Bola Olaosebikan has called on federal and state governments to adopt innovation, technology and financing as tools to improving healthcare delivery and accessibility across Nigeria.

He said this at the 34th Anniversary of Healthcare Magazine held at the Sheraton Hotels Ikeja, theme, ‘Improving Health with Innovations, Technology and Sustainable Financing’.

He said: “This is not the time to build big hospitals. What we need is innovations, technology and financing. We want small technology that will bring a big result. With innovation, we can prevent many diseases and improve healthcare delivery.”

According to him, there were

so many technologies now that can take healthcare to people in their homes, communities and villages, adding that it was what the government needed to invest on.

“The government should invest more in health innovation, support inventors and innovators. It is time to go beyond the routine kind of healthcare we have been practising,” he said.

He, however urged Nigerians to invest their resources in the healthcare industry, as government cannot do it alone.

“Hence to recognise the efforts of bodies and individuals in the healthcare system, the Healthcare Magazine Award was introduced in 1990.

“Healthcare Award is the first premier health award in Nigeria and it’s been on for 30 years now. The first winner was Sir. Mobolaji

Bank-Anthony, Founder of Juli Pharmacy. When we see people doing something remarkable we recognised them and project them as a role model for others,” he listed.

Speaking also, the Minister of state for Health, Senator Adeleke Mamora, urged the public to be still and without hysteria over the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country.

“Let there be no fear or panic. We should endeavour to spread the facts only”.

He warned that Nigerians should maintain personal and respiratory hygiene which are of essence. He called for religious hand washing practice with soap and running tap.

“Use hand sanitiser, too.

Keep palms dry; wet palms carry more germs”.

The minister listed respiratory actions such as sneezing, coughing and yawning.

“Cover your mouth with

a handkerchief when you perform these actions. And desist from touching the face”.

He, therefore warned against handshaking, hugging and travelling. “This is not the best of time to hug and shake. It is also not the best of time to travel to high risk countries like China, Italy and a few others.”

Mamora also spoke against self-medication. “When you exhibit the symptoms, call the toll-free lines. Don’t mislead people with misinformation or disinformation. This is a passing phase. It shall pass.

But we have a duty to do.”

Having commended the magazine, the minister said: “What I observed about the magazine is that it is not just about health but also covers what is happening outside health. I am happy to associate with what Healthcare Magazine represents.”

T H I S D AY ˾ , MARCH 26, 2020

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NEWS

58M Persons Saved from Tuberculosis in 20 Years, Says Stop TB Group Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË A tuberculosis eradication campaign organisation, Stop TB Partnership Nigeria has said that global efforts to combat TB have saved an estimated 58 million lives since the year 2000 and reduced the TB mortality rate by 42 per cent.

However, the group expressed worry that the emergence of drug-resistant TB poses as a major health threat could put at risk the gains made in efforts

to end TB. “TB is an airborne disease and is curable. It is number one infectious killer disease in the world and among the top 10 causes of death worldwide, “ it said.

This was disclosed in Abuja by the Executive Secretary of the TB campaign organisation, Joel Mayowa, at the 2020 PreWorld TB Day event recently, organised by the Ministry of Health National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme

and the STPN. He said Nigeria needed an estimated N85.34bn to control the disease and treat 429,000 new cases recorded from 2019 till date.

According to Mayowa, out of the amount needed to control the disease, only 40 per cent was available.

He also said that 32 per cent of the amount come from donor agencies.

Mayowa further said that Nigeria was among the 30

high burden countries for tuberculosis. The country is ranked number one in Africa and 6th in the world among countries with high burden.

He said, “Despite significant progress over the last decades, TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious killer. Each day, nearly 3,975 people lose their lives to TB and close to 27,397 people fall ill with this preventable and curable disease.

“Out of the N85.34bn ($278m) needed for TB control in Nigeria

in the year 2019, only 40 per cent was available to all the implementers of TB control activities in Nigeria.

“Eight per cent was sourced domestically and 32 per cent from donor funds, with 60 per cent funding gap,” he said.

The executive director said Nigeria is among the 30 high burden countries for TB, and ranked 6th among the 30 high TB burden countries and number one in Africa.

He added that the country

accounts for 12 per cent of the global gap between TB incidence and notified cases.

“Out of 429,000 estimated new TB cases in Nigeria in 2019, only 120,266 were notified to the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme, with 28 per cent treatment coverage. “ Of an estimated 21,000 cases recorded in 2018, only 2,384 were diagnosed and 83 per cent of them enrolled on second line treatment.” he said

FG, States Urged to Assist Faithbased Health Institutions in Fight against COVID-19 Emmanuel Ugwu ÓØ ×ßËÒÓË As part of efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria, the federal and state governments have been urged to carry along faith-based health institutions in their plans against the deadly virus.

The Chairman, Christian Hospitals Association of Nigeria (CHAN), Abia State Chapter, Rev Fr. Christian Uche Anokwuru, made the call in a chat with journalists, saying that checkmating the COVID-19 spread in Nigeria needed concerted efforts of all stakeholders in the health sector.

Anokwuru, who is also the administrator of the Catholic Church owned Madonna Hospital, Umuahia, said the current situation did not call for discrimination between government and privately owned health institutions.

He therefore said that government should extend to faith-based hospitals all the basic hospital needs being provided to government-owned health institutions.

“I expect government to as-

sist hospitals whether private, Muslim or Christian hospitals by providing basic hospital needs like noncontact thermometers, face masks, sanitisers and soaps,” he said, adding, “this is not the time to leave us to our fate”.

The cleric-cum-hospital administrator lamented the high cost of face masks and sanitisers, saying that the prices of both items have shot up by 100 percent.

“As I speak, the facial mask we buy for N7,000 is now N27,000, sanitizers have also gone up. We need help”, adding that faithbased hospitals should not be left to their fate.

Anokwuru, who is also the Health Coordinator, Catholic Diocese of Umuahia, decried a situation whereby only five testing centres are available in a nation of about 200 million people.

He insisted that the existing testing centres were not enough; adding that governments at all level should take proactive action in the present situation and set up isolation centres and testing facilities for COVID-19.

THISDAY’s Fasogbon Shortlisted for Cancer Journalism Award THISDAY Journalist, Omolabake Fasogbon has been shortlisted for the prestigious Cancer Journalism Award for the 2019/2020 edition.

The award is an initiative of the European School for Oncology in Milan, Italy. It sought to encourage, celebrate and reward journalists who deliver insights into the personal and social impact of the cancer, and efforts to change policy, practice or advocacy.

This year, the organisers recorded entries from 24 countries out of which 12 outstanding stories were shortlisted from four different categories.

They include: research, science and treatment; patient and care experience; policy, services and affordability as well as prevention.

Among the successful 12 was Fasogbon who was the only journalist shortlisted in Nigeria.

She was recognised and commended for her report titled : Cervical Cancer: How Govern-

ment Gambles with Women’s Rights to Reproductive Health.

The story captured the ordeal of women living with cervical cancer, how government and professionals inactions have fueled the rising statistics of cases as well as global efforts in tackling the ailment which is highly preventable.

Fasogbon has attended several trainings and has passion for women’s health. She is a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Project under the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.

Other journalists recognised for the award were: Anne Preger from Germany; Elijah Kanyi from Kenya; Patrice Goldberg from Belgium; Myriam Vidal Valero, Rodrigo Pérez and Nelly Toche from Mexico; Ilana Yurkiewicz from USA, Victoria Forster from Canada; Veronica Hackethal from United States; Oscar Miyamoto from Estonia and Kat Arney from the United Kingdom.

L-R: Minister of State for Health, Senator Adeleye Mamora; Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Abdullahi Mashi during the announcement of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Abuja recently

COVID-19:PDP,APCBikeroverStateOfIsolationCentresInDelta Sylvester Idowu ÓØ ËÜÜÓ The ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and opposition’s All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State recently bickered over the state of isolation centres designated for suspected cases of COVID-19 in parts of the state.

While Delta State chapter of the APC) said 80 per cent of the isolation centres designated for suspected cases in the state were without any facility or manpower to combat possible outbreak of the disease, the ruling PDP warned the party to stop playing politics with the lives of the people of the state.

The APC, in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Sylvester Imonina, lambasted the Governor Ifeanyi Okowaled administration for the poor arrangement, noting that the isolation centres were urgently

put together to deceive people of the state that the government was ready for any outbreak.

The party maintained that aside the centre at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, the state capital, which has semblance of isolation centre, other designated centres are without space, facilities or what is needed to tackle the dreaded global virus.

“Information available to us reveals that apart from the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, which has some semblance of an Isolation centre for COVID-19 likely patients, all other hospitals do not have Isolation centres and/or facilities to tackle COVID-19 related ailments.

“There is nothing on ground to suggest seriousness on the part of government. A visit to more than 80 per cent of the said hospitals where isolation centres are purportedly located

showed that they are home to darkness and torchlights when it is dusk.

“Lack of drugs, understaffing and dearth of competent medical personnel are synonymous with the hospitals,” it added.

But reacting to the allegations, the Delta State PDP cautioned the opposition for its “subjective criticism” of the state government’s effort to curb the outbreak of COVID-19 in the state.

According to a statement by former governorship aspirant and Chieftain of the PDP in Delta State, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, all that is expected of the opposition APC is cooperation with the state government, at this point in time to prevent the spread of the virus into the state instead of playing politics with it.

“PDP imagines a situation where all hands were supposed to be on deck in fighting against

the spread of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic like it is in order parts of the world but Delta APC is busy finding fault in the lofty programmes and projects set up by Governor Okowa to fight the scourge and save the lives of our people.

“It is quite unfortunate that a situation where people had put partisan politics aside in contributing ideas and solution towards finding solution to the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic , Imonina and his co-APC travelers in Delta state are busy playing politics of subjective criticism in order to create confusion in the system and the state government to lose concentration in executing sound and viable health projects in fighting the pandemic and as such save lives not only in Delta state, but equally in Nigeria”, he said.

COVID-19: Ogun Commences Digital Classes for Primary, Secondary School Students Ayodeji Ake Following the ban of high density gathering which subsequently informed the closure of schools, Ogun State government has commenced digital classes for primary and secondary students.

The electronic visual school

commenced Tuesday and will last until the duration of the closure of schools.

Informing Ogun residents through it official twitter handle, @OGSGofficial, the government noted that students who do not have the opportunity to be part of the televised sessions can also to

visit www.ogundigiclass.ng to watch the recorded version of the classes.

It further noted that students can also send questions on any subject on the platform while the teachers assist them.

The government enjoined guardians to ensure that appropriate measures were put

in place to enable their wards benefit from this arrangement.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Ministry of Education has also commenced digital classes on selected subjects for Senior Secondary Students in preparation of their external examination, West Africa Examination Council (WAEC).

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T H I S D AY ˞ Ͱʹ˜ 2020

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Survey Reveals Positive Outlook on Economy Nume Ekeghe The March 2020 Business Expectations Survey Report by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed respondents’ optimism on the macroeconomy in March.

The report posted on the CBN’s website, showed that the survey was conducted between March 9th and 13th, 2020 with a sample size of 1,050 businesses nationwide.

According to the report, a response rate of 92.8 per cent was achieved, and the sample covered the agric/services, manufacturing, wholesale/retail trade, and construction sectors.

The respondent firms were made up of small, medium and large corporations covering both import- and export-oriented businesses. It also stated that the business outlook for April,

May and September 2020 showed greater confidence in the economy, with 48.3, 45.4, and 50.3 index points, respectively.

The optimism on the macro economy in the current month was driven by the opinion of respondents from manufacturing (3.3 points) agric/services (2.5 points), construction (0.7 point) and wholesale/retail trade sectors (0.1 point). However, the major drivers of the optimism for next month were agric/services (25.9 points), manufacturing (17.6 points), wholesale/retail trade (3.8 points) and construction (1.0 points) sectors. Similarly, the order of sectoral optimism recorded in the next month remained unchanged for the next two to six months. Further analysis showed that businesses that were neither import- nor export-oriented (3.9 points), both import- and export-oriented (1.8

points), export-related (0.5 point), and those that are import-oriented (0.3 point) drove the positive business outlook in March 2020. “All sectors expressed optimism on own operations in the review month. Respondents from the agric/services sector expressed the greatest optimism on own operations, with an index of 7.7 points, followed by the manufacturing sector with 5.6 points, the wholesale/retail trade with 1.1 points, while the construction sector had 0.8 point. “Respondents’ outlook on the volume of total order and business activity in March 2020 remained positive, at 11.5 and 45.4 points, respectively. Similarly, the outlook on financial conditions (working capital) and average capacity utilization remained positive as the indices stood at 15.2 and 19.8 index points, respectively,� it added.

MARKET INDICATORS

COVID-19: FCMB Guarantees Hitch-free Services, Rolls Out Safety Measures First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has assured its customers of prompt and convenient financial services accessibility and delivery despite the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic in Nigeria.

The assurance followed the full activation of the bank’s business continuity plan and implementation of safety measures for customers and staff to contain the spread of the pandemic.

According to a statement, the action was in line with the customer-first approach philosophy of the bank and best practice international protocols, including the recommended measures by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Furthermore, FCMB stated that part of the safety measures it has put in place was the cleaning of teller counters at all branches

with disinfectants every hour.

This it added, was in addition to compulsory enforcement of temperature screening, the use of hand sanitisers for all those that must gain access to any of its business premises and keeping a keen eye on social distancing rules.

The bank disclosed that while majority of its branches would remain open to serve customers who may require physical services, a few other branches would be temporarily closed with effect from yesterday. “Based on this and considering the critical services offered by banks, especially at a time like this, FCMB has further optimised its world class alternate and digital banking channels to effectively cater for all forms of transactions required by customers, thereby limiting the threat of inter-personal interaction. “The lender has therefore encouraged customers to make

use of its self-service channels, including, internet banking, the new FCMB Mobile app, *329# USSD solution, automated teller machines, among others, to send money, pay bills, request for loans, purchase airtime, check account balance and carry out other transactions on the go,� it added. It also stated that customers could access its website, its social media platforms or send emails to its customer care centre. “Also, FCMB has temporarily changed its work structure by ensuring that some category of staff can now work remotely to minimise physical interaction as well as adhere to social distancing guidelines. “This is to further safeguard the institution’s stakeholders and its host communities against the threats posed by COVID-19.

Also, the bank has suspended all training programmes, while meetings are to be held virtually.

COVID-19: Ikeja Electric Closes Offices Partially Peter Uzoho The Ikeja Electric (IE) Plc has announced that no physical transaction of business will take place across offices in its franchise network for the next one week. It said the partial closure was in line with the ongoing efforts nationwide to prevent further spread of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic and to protect its customers and staff.

The Disco, in a statement explained that the partial closure, which took effect from Tuesday,

was part of precautionary measures necessitated by the need to safeguard the health of customers and staff by limiting their exposure to the deadly virus. “The spread of the virus, according to World Health Organisation (WHO), is believed to be mainly through person-toperson contact, which enables respiratory droplets from infected individuals, who exhibit or later show symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, breathing difficulty, fever etc., to be transmitted to other persons,� IE said.

Meanwhile, the power dis-

tributing firm has reassured its teeming customers that services including supply of electricity to them, fault clearing, online channels for purchase of energy credits and payment of bills are unaffected by the temporary closure. It said customers can continue to make enquiries or complaints to its Customers Care Team via email, live chat or phone calls. The acting Chief Executive Officer of of Ikeja Electric, Mrs Folake Soetan, noted that the safety and health of employees and members of the public is a priority to the organisation.

Wema Bank Supports Abule-Ado Victims Wema Bank Plc said it has made a financial donation to the Lagos State government as part of its contribution to the victims of the recent pipeline explosion in Abule Ado community.

Accompanied by senior executive staff, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Wema Bank Plc, Ademola Adebise made the donation recently.

Adebise, who commended

the state government for taking rapid efforts in providing relief for the victims of the tragic incidence, said it was necessary for the bank to support the effort of the government. “While our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims, those who lost their lives and those recuperating in the hospitals, we commiserate with them and have decided to contribute to the fund set up by the Lagos state government

to help ameliorate the extent of damages caused by the explosion,� a statement quoted him to have said.

In his response, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in thanking the bank for donating to the fund, commended its passion for socially responsible gestures and consistency in delivering digital-led solutions to individuals and businesses in the state.

MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

SEPTEMBER 2019 Money Supply (M3)

35,029,779.72

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

7,374,356.91

Money Supply (M2)

27,655,422.82

-- Quasi Money

116,533,891.21

-- Narrow Money (M1)

11,121,531.60

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,625,047.69

---- Demand Deposits

9,496,483.91

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

13,911,335.83

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

21,118,443.89

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

35,918,179.45

---- Credit to Government (Net)

10,452,199.38

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

11,007,422.79

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

25,465,980.07

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

-14,799,735.56

--Other Assets Net

7,000,253.07

Reserve Money (Base Money

2,005,600.83

--Currency in Circulation

4,677,530.81

--Banks Reserves

317,121.43

Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

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OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE Ëœ ͰͲ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $26.53 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $24.72 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

39

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍłËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

MARKET NEWS

All-Share Index Records Marginal Decline as Remote Trading Commences Goddy Egene The equities market recorded a marginal decline of 0.05 per cent on the first day full remote trading commenced following the closure of all trading floors by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The NSE All-Share Index fell to 21,729.48, from 21,741.16 yesterday. Although there were more price gainers than losers, depreciation suffered by

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, Total Nigeria Plc led to the negative close.

In all, 20 stocks appreciated, while seven stocks depreciated.

Total Nigeria Plc led the price losers with 10 per cent, trailed

by African Prudential Plc with 9.8 per cent. Jaiz Bank Plc shed 8.1 per cent, just as FCMB Group Plc went down by 3.8 per cent.

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc fell 2.9 per cent.

On the positive side, Cutix Plc led the price gainers with

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

10 per cent, followed by Cadbury Nigeria Plc with 9.7 per cent.

Neimeth Pharmaceuticals International Plc and Prestige Assurance Plc appreciated by 9.0 per cent apiece.

However, the volume of trading fell 29.3 per cent to 233.47 million shares worth N2.24 billion in 3,874 deals, compared with 330.102 million shares valued at N3.568 billion exchanged in 4,561 deals the previous day.

The Chief Executive Officer of

S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema had on Monday announced the closure of the exchange’s trading floors and adoption of remote trading for 30 days effective yesterday.

The decision is part of measures to contain the spread of the Coronavirus. “Over three weeks ago, we activated precautionary health measures across our offices where we screened visitors with thermometers, provided sanitisers and minimised access into our premises. Further to

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

this and with the significant growth in new cases, effective Tuesday, March 24, 2020, we have activated a 30-day remote working plan for our employees excluding essential staff. In order to give our dealing members enough notice, effective Wednesday, March 25 , 2020 all our trading floors will be temporarily closed, although remote trading will continue and NSE staff will be available through all our digital platforms to provide support.

O F

We regret any inconvenience this may cause in the discharge of your business activities, but we must act in the best interest of all stakeholders at this time,�

Onyema said.

According to him, in line with their robust Business Continuity Management framework, they would like to reassure stakeholders that they have put in place measures to ensure their operations and trading activities continue seamlessly throughout this period.

2 5 / 0 3 / 2 0 2 0 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

40

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

eTranzact International to Raise N7 Billion via Rights Issue Goddy Egene eTranzact International Plc, an electronic payment solutions provider, is to raise about N7 billion fresh funds from existing shareholders via a rights issue. The money would be raised through the issuance of

4,666,666,667 shares of 50 kobo each at N1.50 per share in a ratio of 10 new shares for every nine shares already held.

In notification yesterday, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) said stockbrokers to the eTranzact, Cordros Securities Limited, had

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

submitted an application for the approval and listing of the right issue.

Shareholders of the company had last year given approval to the board of directors to raise additional capital to boost its operations.

Chairman of eTranzact, Mr. Wole Abegunde had said the decision

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 25Mar-2020, unless otherwise stated.

to raise additional capital became imperative considering the need of the company to expand its operations, deepen its market share and to remain competitive in the financial technology industry.

According to Abegunde, the capital to be raised will be used to

upgrade and enhance the company’s technology infrastructure and network security systems and also to improve on its service delivery. He further stated that the company will also invest in its agent network expansion programme, human resources and employee development.

Also, speaking the Managing Director/CEO of eTranzact, Mr. Niyi Toluwalope, said that the injection of additional equity would enable the company’s management to strategically maintain its leading position as a key market leader within the electronic payment industry.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.86 0.87 2.41% ACAP Income Funds 0.76 0.76 34.38% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AIICO Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A info@anchoriaam.com ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market N/A N/A N/A Anchoria Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Anchoria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 12.48 12.86 -18.52% ARM Discovery Fund 305.11 314.30 -11.67% ARM Ethical Fund 25.21 25.97 -13.31% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.49% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 0.07 0.05 6.96% Paramount Equity Fund 9.44 9.85 -23.63% Women's Investment Fund 104.30 105.12 -5.58% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.40% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 94.22 94.60 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 100.74 101.21 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.85% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.80 0.81 -13.34% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.31 1.31 -1.16% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 5.72% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 4.75% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,183.15 1,186.74 1.88% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,292.43 1,294.07 0.11% FBN Balanced Fund 128.61 129.48 -12.40% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.19% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 109.96 110.88 -7.78% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 110.54 111.46 -7.75% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 100.89 102.05 -22.47% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 7.42% Legacy Debt Fund 3.71 3.71 1.64% Legacy Equity Fund 0.93 0.95 -17.85% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.09 1.09 1.02% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 2,820.39 2,849.19 -5.46% Coral Income Fund 3,138.63 3,138.63 14.50% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 6.34% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.26% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 113.23 113.96 6.67%

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.57% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.02 2.05 -8.06% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 10.89% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 138.44 138.81 -3.52% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.14 1.16 -2.27% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,128.05 1,128.05 2.68% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 7.21 7.28 -26.41% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 4.68% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.33 1.35 8.99% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.31 12.34 8.87% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 5.00% PACAM Equity Fund 0.91 0.91 PACAM EuroBond Fund 83.28 85.25 SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 108.88 110.76 -11.16% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.03 1.03 2.68% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,521.35 2,532.80 -5.58% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 1.56% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 -14.04% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 1.82% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 -12.56% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.40% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 -13.39% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.16 1.16 1.34% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 118.18 118.18 0.00% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.07 1.09 -10.75% United Capital Bond Fund 1.77 1.77 2.21% United Capital Equity Fund 0.59 0.61 -16.28% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 7.22% United Capital Eurobond Fund 113.52 113.52 1.49% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.04 1.04 -4.85% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 9.00 9.09 -12.52% Zenith Ethical Fund 10.89 10.99 -6.30% Zenith Income Fund 23.24 23.24 4.53% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.78%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

3.20 120.83 52.49

-66.85% 1.45% 0.85%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

7.38 73.73 56.20

7.48 75.28 57.24

-15.17% -20.28% -23.77%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

2.18 3.38 9.95 10.28 163.10

2.22 3.46 10.05 10.48 165.10

-38.39% -42.52% -17.52% -1.01% -12.55%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

108.69

17.60%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

THURSDAY MARCH 26, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

41

INTERNATIONAL

COVID-19: 67 Catholic Priests Die in Italy as Death Toll in Spain Surpasses China’s A total of 67 Italian priests infected with the novel coronavirus have died since the pandemic reached the Mediterranean country last month, the Avvenire newspaper said Wednesday.

The youngest of those listed by the Catholic Church-affiliated paper was 53.

“Priests get sick and die like everybody else, maybe even more than the rest,” the Avvenire wrote.

Saudi Shuts Riyadh, Mecca, Medina after Second Death Saudi Arabia on Wednesday sealed off the capital Riyadh and two of Islam’s holiest cities and extended curfew hours as it reported its second death from the new coronavirus.

The kingdom barred entry and exit from Riyadh as well as Mecca and Medina and prohibited movement between all provinces, the official Saudi Press Agency reported, as the health ministry said the total number of infections spiked to 900.

Saudi Arabia, which has reported the highest number of infections in the Gulf, on Monday began implementing an 11-hour nationwide curfew — starting at 7 pm — to limit the spread of the deadly COVID-19 illness.

The curfew hours were brought forward to 3 pm in the three cities, SPA said citing measures approved by King Salman that will take effect from Thursday.

Authorities plan to implement the curfew for 21 days and have warned that transgressors will be fined 10,000 Saudi riyals ($2,663) and could face jail for repeated breaches.

The health ministry on Wednesday said a resident of

Mecca was the second person to die from the disease in the kingdom.

The Arab world’s biggest economy has also closed down cinemas, malls and restaurants, halted flights and suspended the year-round umrah pilgrimage as it steps up efforts to contain the virus.

King Salman warned last week of a “more difficult” fight ahead against the virus, as the kingdom faces the economic double blow of virus-led shutdowns and crashing oil prices.

The king will chair an emergency virtual summit of leaders from the Group of 20 major economies on Thursday to discuss a global response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Last week, the kingdom unveiled stimulus measures amounting to 120 billion riyals ($32 billion) to support businesses and said it plans to raise borrowing to 50 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).

Similar restrictions and stimulus measures have been reported by other countries in the Gulf, where more than 2,400 coronavirus infections have been reported so far.

The paper said 22 of the fatalities were in the Bergamo diocese, at the heart of the outbreak not far from the financial centre Milan.

Pope Francis asked priests “to have the courage to go out and see the sick” when the pandemic was gathering strength across the country on March 10.

Meanwhile, Spain Wednesday saw the number of deaths from coronavirus epidemic surge to 3,434 after more than 738

people died in the past 24 hours, following Italy in overtaking the figure in China, where the virus originated late last year.

This is as more than a billion Indians joined a lockdown that has confined a third of humanity.

Markets rebounded after Washington vowed to spend $2 trillion to fend off a US economic collapse, while capitals elsewhere are still taking ever more dramatic steps to slow the spread of the disease.

“COVID-19 is threatening the whole of humanity -– and the whole of humanity must fight back,” UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres said, launching an appeal for $2 billion to help the world’s poor.

As of 1100 GMT on Wednesday, the number of deaths around the world from the new coronavirus strain stood at 19,246, with more that 427,000 declared cases registered in 181 countries and territories.

India’s stay-at-home order is now the biggest, and Russia will follow suit, with President Vladimir Putin declaring next week a public holiday and postponing a public vote on constitutional reforms.

The G20 major economies will hold an emergency videoconference summit on Thursday to discuss a global response to the crisis, as will the 27 leaders of the European Union, the outbreak’s new epicentre.

TACKLING COVID-19…

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, inaugurating the Task Force on Enforcement of the Ban on Public and Religious Gatherings at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt...yesterday

South African Virus Carriers Charged With Kenya Imposes Curfew, Attempted Murder for Not Isolating Offers Tax Breaks to Tackle COVID-19

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday ordered a nighttime curfew to curb the spread of the coronavirus, while taking a massive pay cut and unveiling tax breaks to ease the economic impact of the crisis on citizens.

In a lengthy address to the nation, Kenyatta warned he would not hesitate to take “more drastic measures” if Kenyans did not make efforts to limit the spread of the virus which has sickened 28 in the country.

“Effective Friday 27 March 2020 there will be a daily curfew from 7 pm to 5 am,” across the country, Kenyatta said.

This would exclude those authorised to move around such as medical professionals and critical and essential service providers.

Referring to the fight against the virus as an “ongoing war”, Kenyatta made a series of announcements to ease the anxiety of millions fearful of income loss in the East African hub.

He ordered 100 percent tax relief for people earning a gross monthly income of up to 24,000 shillings ($226, 209

euros), considered the average salary in Kenya.

He also cut the maximum income tax rate from 30 percent to 25 percent and the VAT rate from 16 percent to 14 percent.

Kenyatta allocated $94 million to the elderly, orphans and “other vulnerable members of our society” to cushion them from the economic effects of COVID-19.

He also called for the suspension of certain loan repayments and ordered ministries and government departments to pay $122 million in pending bills.

Kenyatta also allocated $9.4 million from the universal healthcare kitty towards the recruitment of additional health workers.

The president himself — who earns around $15,000 a month — said he was taking an 80 percent pay cut, as was his deputy, while cabinet ministers are taking a 30 percent pay cut.

“I call on the other arms of government and tiers of government to join us in this national endeavour by making similar voluntary reductions which will free up monies to combat this pandemic,” he said.

South African police have charged two men with attempted murder for allegedly continuing to go out after they tested positive for the coronavirus, exposing others to the infection.

Police minister Bheki Cele announced the charges on Wednesday during a press conference detailing the enforcement of an incoming lockdown meant to curb the spread of coronavirus.

“If you break these laws of regulations you are six months in, or fined, or both,” said Cele.

“Two people have been charged already… who

deliberately moved around after they were told” not to, he warned.

“So it’s not a fairytale to say the law will act and act very harsh on you.”

The first case was a 52-year old salon owner diagnosed with coronavirus on March 18 and instructed to quarantine for at least 14 days.

Police spokesperson Vish Naidoo said local officials raised the alert on Tuesday after the man was seen around the western city of Ladysmith, in KwaZulu-Natal province. “(He) allegedly continued with his business… and in

doing so disregarded the instructions by a doctor,” Naidoo said, adding that the man had since been arrested and taken to hospital.

The second charge was filed against a male tourist who tested positive for COVID-19 while on holiday at Kruger National Park.

Naidoo said the man ignored instructions to remain in his hotel and went to the nearby town of Saint Lucia, where he interacted “with an unknown number of people”.

South Africa has recorded the highest number of coronavirus infections on the continent,

with 709 cases confirmed so far.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a 21-day lockdown after the number of infections multiplied six-fold in just eight days. Only “essential” trips to grocery stores, pharmacies and medical appointments will be permitted during the lockdown, which will be enforced by army troops.

“The simplest and best way to combat the spread of the coronavirus is STAY HOME,” the police said in a statement on Wednesday.

“It is exactly that stubborn behaviour that has caused us a national lockdown.”

WHO: No new Ebola Case in DR Congo The World Health Organisation said there has been no new case of Ebola Virus Disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo in over five weeks.

This was contained in a situation report released by the WHO African Region on Tuesday.

The virus, which is believed to be animal-borne, has infected over 3,400 and killed over 2200 lives in DRC, which is one of the worst-hit African countries by the epidemic.

WHO report read in part, “No new cases of Ebola virus disease have been reported

since 17 February 2020. The last person confirmed to have Ebola was discharged from an Ebola Treatment Centre on 3 March 2020 after recovering and testing negative for the virus twice.

“The last 46 contacts finished their follow-up period on 9 March 2020. These developments are significant milestones in this outbreak.

“There is, however, still a high risk of the reemergence of EVD, and it is critical to maintain response activities to rapidly detect and respond to any new cases, and to continue

ongoing support and health monitoring operations for EVD survivors – as outlined in the WHO recommended criteria for declaring the end of the EVD outbreak.”

However, WHO stated that funding is a major factor in the progressive fight against EVD in DRC and other countries in Africa.

“WHO has not received funding for the Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since December 2019.

“An urgent injection of US$ 20 million is required

to ensure that response teams have the capacity to maintain the appropriate level of operations through to the beginning of May 2020 and are able to rapidly respond to any flare-ups. If no new resources are received, WHO risks running out of funds for the Ebola response before the end of the outbreak.

“WHO’s financial need for the Ebola Response for January to June 2020 (SRP 4.1) is US $83 million. WHO currently requires US$ 40 million to ensure continuity of activities,” it concluded.

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THURSDAY MARCH 26, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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Kaduna Bans Motorcycles, Taxis, Tricycles John Shiklam in Kaduna The Kaduna State Government has banned the operations of motorcycle, taxis and tricycles in the state for failing to satisfy the conditions for social distancing.

The ban was announced yesterday by the Deputy Governor of the Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, who explained in a state broadcast that the decision was taken

after Governor Nasir El-Rufai met with senior government officials to review the level of compliance of the measures taken to contain the spread of COVID 19.

Balarabe, however, stated that commercial buses were allowed to operate, but must comply to the new rule of not more than two passengers per row.

She wared that the state government would suspend all

forms of pubic transportation in the state if it is compelled by circumstances to do so.

She said the state government “will today (Wednesday) be taking steps to stop the Abuja-Kaduna train service, which needs to be suspended for a few weeks,” The deputy governor noted that government has directed all utility vehicles that have been assigned to officials be recalled in order “to enhance

the state’s capacity for rapid response and contact tracing, monitoring and supervision of surveillance activities should any positive case be identified.

She directed that the vehicles should be parked in the yard of the Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure while the drivers of the utility vehicles should report to the Commissioner of Public Works to submit their contact details.

The deputy governor said:

“The state government is committed to getting food and necessities across to identified vulnerable groups should a lockdown become inevitable.

“The required supplies are being procured while a system of distribution to the persons that most need them is being worked out.”

Balarabe reiterated the ban on large gatherings, the closure of markets, with the exception of traders in food,

medicines and essential items and called on the people to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel. ‘’Government recognises that compliance with these measures come with a level of inconvenience for which we readily apologise. But we trust that everyone understands the necessity for these sacrifices as the most pragmatic way to keep people safe and alive,’’ she added.

Uzodinma Closes Major Markets in Imo

Amby Uneze in Owerri

Imo State Governor, Mr. Hope Uzodimma, has ordered the closure of all major markets in the state from the morning of Saturday, March 28 as part of his administration’s strategy to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Uzodinma also reiterated that civil servants, who fall within the approval given by the Head of Service not to report to office, should stay at home until further notice.

Meanwhile, there are no palliatives for the citizens to purchase their needs as directed by the governor, even when the civil servants are yet to collect their February and March salaries.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Declan Emelumba, in a press briefing after the maiden meeting of the State Executive Council yesterday, said the state government has procured ambulances for the 27 Local Government Councils in Imo State and established more testing centres across the state.

Emelumba, who was flanked by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Barr. Francis Dibiagwu; Commissioner for Education, Prof. B.T.O. Ikegwuoha and the Chief Press Secretary/ Media Adviser to the Governor, Mr. Oguwike Nwachuku, reemphasised that the governor was in consultations with church leaders that all schools are closed latest Friday.

He said commuters entering the state through the land borders are to be screened before being allowed entry.

The commissioner also revealed the resolve of the state government to restore the master plan of Owerri in order to solve the issue of flooding and other environmental hazards being experienced in the capital city currently.

He announced that the state’s Internally Generated Revenue L-R: Director, Oil and Gas, Edo State Ministry of Solid Minerals, Oil and Gas, Mrs. Stacey Osifo; state Commissioner for Minerals, Oil and (IGR) has risen from the initial Gas, Hon. Joseph Ikpea, and Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Sam Okopse, during the monitoring of operations of petrol stations N620 million the government in Benin City…yesterday met on ground in January when Governor Uzodinma took over office to N1.2 billion within two months and yet salaries are not research for medical solution Isokunwe, who spoke on “when it matures.”

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja paid. against the ravaging telephone with THISDAY According to the minister’s yesterday also said that aide, what is paramount to The federal government COVID-19.

Technical Assistant to NIPRD and NIMR are the federal government at the agencies in the health sector, the Nigeria Institute for Minister of Health, Mr. working with relevant moment is how to scale up Pharmaceutical Research Chris Isokunwe, said that authorities on the research efforts at the containment of the virus disease, adding that and Development (NIPRD) government’s efforts at around Covid-19 disease.

He said that the result of the issue of finding vaccines and Nigeria Institute of research is yielding results Medical Research ((NIMR) as NIPRD recently launched their research works would be or cure for the virus is globally are spearheading Nigeria’s Nigerian made hand sanitizer. made available to the public being tackled. something to hide from the public.

He said: “It is indeed instructive for the Presidency Kumangar attributed the attention has been drawn to with the backlog of salaries to note that the nation is Daji Sani in Yola inability of the state government the misunderstanding and arrears as soon as global oil in dire need of hope and direction contained in timely The Adamawa State Government to implement the new misconception that trailed prices stabilised and nation’s information, especially from has stated that it could not pay consequential adjustment to the the earlier statement issued earnings picks up.

However the State Chairman the March salaries using the economic crunch imposed by by government regarding the the government.

“Consequently, clamping new consequential adjustment the global pandemic COVID-19. payment of March salaries of Nigeria Labour Congress “Government cannot without the consequential (NLC), Mr. Emmanuel Fashe, down on the media, which agreed upon and dully signed is a critical stakeholder in by Organised Labour Unions. implement the consequential adjustment it agreed to and told THISDAY that the state The Director General for adjustment for senior workers signed with organised labour governor consulted with this important effort to defeat the labour union before the COVID-19 is completely at Media and Communications but workers at level one to level unions The director general assured statement was issued. variance with the national to the State Governor, Mr six in the state have started Fashe appealed to workers to Solomon Kumangar made receiving March Salary alerts that the State Governor, Mr. interest.

“What our nation needs now the statement yesterday while with N32,000 minimum wage,” Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, remain calm because the backlog has promised to pay the of their salaries would be paid is for all hands to be on the addressing journalists at the Yola he said.

He said the government consequential adjustment once situations improved. deck as we collectively seek Government House. for solutions.”

The PDP, therefore, charged the Presidency to immediately and without any further delay Dike Onwuamaeze Adinuba, who said that it the setting up of a 23-person Commissioner of Police, heads lift the ban on the affected should not be left for the Coronavirus Attack Team to of the two teaching hospitals in media houses and allow them The Anambra State Government state government and medical work against the contagion the state and specialists from to discharge their responsibility has appealed to traditional doctors to fight the spread of in the state by the Governor relevant fields.” to the Nigerian people, in line rulers, presidents of town the virus alone. of Anambra State, Mr. Willie Adinuba identified motor with the provisions of the unions, market groups, Adinuba made the appeal Obiano. parks and open markets as law and their professional transport unions, trade unions, when he announced the He said: “To underscore potential areas where the virus requirements. professional groups, the proactive measures being the importance of the team’s could spread fast, since it is The PDP also frowned organised private sector, civil taken by the state government work, Governor Obiano chose contracted mostly through at federal government for servants as well as religious to ensure that state is free from to head the team himself. person-to-person contact and cancelling the Tuesday’s media leaders to be on the frontlines the onslaught of COVID-19. Other members include the physical surfaces. briefing on the COVID-19, of the spirited campaign by the The measures, according Speaker of the House of He noted that the state which denied Nigerians of state government to prevent to Adinuba, include the Assembly, the Secretary to government is bothered by the very vital information in the the spared of COVID-19 to shutdown schools, directive the State Government, the wrong attitude of people who process. that civil servants not on Chief of Staff to the Governor, though are aware of the highly the state.

The party urged the Federal The appeal was made by the essential services to work the Commissioner for Health infectious disease, but strangely Government to exert itself and Anambra State’s Commissioner from home and the reduction and his counterpart in the believed that for superstitious seek more concerted effort in for Information and Public of the number of passengers in Ministry of Information and and other strange reasons, that the fight against the pandemic. Enlightenment, Mr. C. Don tricycles and buses as well as Public Enlightenment, the state they could not be infected.

ENFORCING N125 OFFICIAL PRICE…

NIPRD, NIMA Lead Research Efforts against COVID-19

PDP Condemns Banning of AIT, Others from Presidential Villa Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday condemned in its entirety, the unjustified banning of some media houses from covering the activities of the Presidency, which it described as a heinous victimisation that was executed in bad faith.

A statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said the media ban by the Presidency was highly detestable, undemocratic and totally against the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act as well as the tenets and guiding principles of rule of law.

The party noted that the Presidency had no justification for its action and could therefore not give any cogent reason to necessitate the ban.

The PDP cautioned the Buhari Presidency to note that the nation, and indeed, the world is currently distressed by the battle against deadly COVID-19.

Ologbondiyan pointed out that now is not the time for unnecessary pettiness, victimisation and barring of media houses that could create suspicion in the public space that government has

Adamawa Kicks against Payment of New Consequential Adjustment

Anambra Tasks Citizens on Campaign against COVID-19

THURSDAY MARCH 26, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWSEXTRA

Police Rescue District Head, 13 Others Kidnapped in Zamfara The police in Zamfara State have rescued the district head of Wuya, Alhaji Umar Usman, and 13 others kidnapped on March 21.

Unknown gunmen had stormed Wuya and Yartasha Wuya villages in Anka Local Government Area and whisked away the victims.

They were rescued at the early hours of Tuesday by a joint team comprising the police, repentant bandits, community leaders and government officials.

The command recorded the

feat few days after arresting suspected kidnappers who killed a man and abducted his two wives.

According to the spokesman for the command Mr. Mohammed Shehu, the rescue of the victims was made possible as a result of the peace and reconciliation initiative introduced by the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Usman Nagogo.

Shehu said the victims were handed over to Zamfara State Governor, Dr. Mohammed Matawalle, by the police chief

who assured that more victims will soon be freed.

In his remarks, the governor lauded the timely

rescue, assuring that his administration would continue to sustain ongoing peace process in the state.

He warned YANSAKAI to desist from extrajudicial killing of Fulanis or face the wrath of the law, just as he

vowed to take decisive action against unrepentant bandits who have refused to embrace the peace pact.

Dana Suspends Operation In response to the recent developments on COVID-19, and the need to support the efforts of the government to stem the further spread in the country, Dana Air has decided to suspend flight operations for the next 14 days effective midnight March 25, 2020.

Dana Air noted that there has been a huge decline in the passenger figures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that considering the need to

avoid piling unnecessary costs at this difficult time, it had to take this huge decision in the interest of the industry, staff , customers and the nation.

“While we apologise and regret any inconvenience this decision may cause customers on affected flights, we wish to reassure our guests that we will be available on all our channels L-R: Official of Providus Bank, Mrs. Aina Amah; Senior Audit Executive of Access Bank, Mr. Yinka Tiamiyu; Managing Director/CEO of FSDH to ensure seamless updates MB, Mrs. Hamda Ambah; Senior Staff of FSDH, Mr. Dare Akinnuoye; and Senior Executive of Wema Bank, Mr. Adekunle Onitiri, at the 45th and communication,” the airline Quarterly General Meeting of the Association of Chief Audit Executives of Banks in Lagos… recently said.

FORTY-FIVE HEARTY CHEERS...

Lauds FG for Halting International Flights Hope Africa Foundation Okowa Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi the state. ensuring that the health staff the quality of water needed has commended the He urged the people of the members are safe. We have for the machines.

Cautions against Lockdown Okowa, federal government for halting state and Nigerians to adhere proper changing rooms, with “We are also establishing a

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The President of Hope Africa Foundation (HAF), Chief Albert Owuru, has cautioned against Nigeria and African countries emulating the lockdown of other countries because of the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that it may not work here due to poverty and undeveloped economy of African states.

In a statement he signed and made available to journalists in Abuja, Owuru said there is no doubt the fear of the growing spread of the coronavirus disease in Europe and Asian countries, the epic centres of the disease, and around the world is real as economic activities, business and social life are being affected with almost all streets and cities are empty.

According to him, while the developed countries can afford to hastily shutdown and lockdown their cities and roll out welfare packages to contain and ameliorate the effect of this ravaging diseases, as they intensify effort in the search for its cure, the same cannot be said of African Governments with poorly developed economics, decaying health care system, bad leadership and high level of poverty already bogged down by economic down turns.

HAF President said: “It is, therefore, advisable that African Governments at all levels, institutions and organisation to rethink and adopt a strategy which should majorly restrict, control and quarantine incoming foreign personnel/ influence in the spread of this disease as well as have the courage and will power to thoroughly check

all persons irrespective of their status; children of rich people, government officials and visiting foreign officials who might potentially spread the dreaded foreign disease across Africa.”

Owuru said it must be noted that the level of poverty-induced death in Africa have over time far outnumbered all the Western hysteria of pandemic, without the world caring or pay attention to African poverty menace and predicament with the burden of bad leadership on the continent aggravating the problem.

Owuru, who was the presidential candidate of one of the political parties in the last general election, said: “Truth be told, we lack any developed economic system and health care programme to withstand any spread of this disease in Africa.

“At this point, copying hook line and sinker the European and American-styled lockdown or shutdowns will worsen our poverty burdens.

We are not that disciplined, and do not have the facilities and caring governments in place with any plan to save the poor people across Africa countries, and the worst of all being Nigeria, which is the world capital of poverty, with near absence of leadership.”

He rather advised that the governments should heed the advice of World Health Organisation (WHO) in Africa, and re-open and focus on restrictions in public places and close non-essential places and strictly police the borders, airports and entering points to check the spread of the disease as well as identify sick persons and carriers of this disease.

international flights into the country as part of measures to curtail the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the stoppage of international flights and closure of land borders would stem the spread of the dreaded disease in the country.

Okowa told journalists after inspecting facilities at the Isolation Centre for the pandemic at the Central Hospital, Asaba, yesterday, that with the preventive measures being put in place by the state government, the state was ready to battle the disease if any case was recorded in

to precautionary instructions and maintain personal hygiene and social distancing, saying that such measures would help in averting contact and spread the coronavirus.

According to the governor, “we have gone through the Isolation Centre and the Holding Rooms and you can see that the centre is fully ready.

Other facilities to ensure that the health staff are safe have also been fully installed.

He said, “we have ventilators in place and more will be installed within the week. The important thing is ensuring the comfort of the patient but also

personal protective wears also in place.

“We now have two centres in Asaba alone; you will recall that a week ago I inspected the purpose-built Isolation Centre at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, built by the Delta State Government.

“Beyond these two centres that are ready, we are also establishing another one at the Teaching Hospital in Oghara.

The Medical Director has made necessary arrangements for a secluded part of the hospital.

They already have their Dialysis machines and we have also released funds for

centre in Warri. By tomorrow (today), all works that need to be done to put the ward in good shape would have been completed and the necessary equipment will be deployed for the purpose of being able to attend to would-be patients if and in case we have the coronavirus in the state. ``We are preparing; we don’t have to wait till we have a case. We thank the federal government for stopping international flights and closing the land borders; that is one good thing we have done, but I think we should have done that earlier than we did.

Anambra Monarch Stops Receiving Visitors As part of efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, the Grand Patron of Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Igwe of Nnewi, Dr. Kenneth Orizu III, has asked those planning to come to his palace to stay away for the time being.

A statement from the palace signed by Prince Obi Orizu said referral of cases to the Palace Arbitration Panel for determination has also been put on hold except on issues of extreme emergencies.

The palace added that all social gatherings, including traditional marriages and burials in the commercial city of Nnewi, had been cancelled.

It said the panel had suspended its sittings, adding that other meetings, and any occasion involving more than 30 people would also not hold in the palace.

According to the statement, all visits to the palace and social and religious gatherings would resume as soon as the pandemic

is curtailed.

Igwe Orizu urged Nigerians to adhere strictly to all safety procedures as ordered by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), federal and state governments.

He called for prayers for the eradication of the scourge and the quick recovery of all those already suffering from the virus.

The monarch, who is the oldest monarch in Africa, further advised Nigerians to stick to all the advisory measures,

including self-isolation and social distancing, including the regular washing of hands with soap and disinfecting the hands with sanitizers as announced by the NCDC and the Federal Ministry of Health.

He commended the federal and state governments in their efforts to curtail the virus while commiserating with those suffering from the deadly virus, praying that God would bring the disease to end soonest by providing a cure.

A’Ibom Health Professionals Task Govt on COVID-19 Okon Bassey in Uyo A Coalition of Health Professionals in Akwa Ibom State has tasked the state government on the enforcement of a partial lockdown policy in the state to check the coronavirus pandemic.

This was contained in a communique issued by the coalition at the end of their meeting yesterday in Uyo, the state capital.

Members of the coalition

include the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Pharmacy Society of Nigeria (PSN), and Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN).

The communiqué, which was signed by the Chairman of NMA, Dr Nsikak Nyoyoko; Mr. Patrick Odu (NANNM), Dr. Akwaowoh Akpabio (PSN) and Mrs. Emilia Eliezer (AMLSN), urged the state government to

set up surveillance screening posts at all border entry points.

“The leadership calls on the state government to immediately apply a partial lockdown policy in Akwa Ibom State. Set up surveillance screening posts at all points of entry (borders) into the state.

“All motorists should fill surveillance forms and be screened at these points. The leadership suggests that all civil servants from Grade level 12 and below should

be directed to stay at home except for those on essential duty.

“We call on the government to enforce social distancing by placing a ban on all social gatherings of more than 50 persons in line with the directives of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19.

“We appeal to our religious leaders and the public to cooperate with the government order,” communique stated.

THURSDAY MARCH 26, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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24 HOURS...

24 HOURS...

Bayelsa Imposes Stay-at-home Order on Civil Servants, Suspends Burials, Weddings I didn’t meet Abba Kyari, says Diri The Bayelsa State Government yesterday asked civil servants on Grade Levels 1 to 12 to stay at home for two weeks.

The government explained that only those on essential

services such as medical and health workers, fire service personnel, cleaners and other related personnel were exempted from the temporary restriction.

22 Yobe Officials on Self-isolation after Dubai Trip Twenty-two officials of Yobe State Government that returned from Dubai last week have placed themselves on mandatory 14 days’ self-isolation.

Some of the returnees confirmed that they are on self-isolation from their families and visitors until the 14 days’ isolation period elapses.

The Acting Head of the Civil

The Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Health, Dr. Inodu Apoku, who addressed the media after a meeting between Governor Douye Diri and the expanded multi-sectoral task force on the COVID-19 pandemic, said

burial and wedding ceremonies have also been suspended in the state for the same period.

Apoku said other decisions reached by the committee included the review downward of the number of persons at worship centres and other

public gatherings to 20 from the initial 50. The restriction order also affected night clubs and bars in the state as well as commercial vehicles and tricycles that had been directed by the state Ministry of Transport to reduce the

number of passengers they carry.

Diri had earlier dispelled the rumour over his alleged contact with the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari, who a few days ago tested positive to the virus.

Service in the State, Mohammed Nura; the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Basic Education and Secondary Education, Yakubu Doskshi; the Special Adviser Political to Governor Mai Mala, Aji Yerima Bularafa all disclosed that they have gone into selfisolation even though none of them was tested positive of the virus on their return.

Gunmen Abduct Bauchi Gov’s Brother The elder brother to the Bauchi State Governor , Mr. Adamu Mohammed Duguri has been kidnapped.

He was allegedly whisked away around 7:30 pm yesterday at Anguwar Jaki in Bauchi metropolis.

Although efforts to reach the

Police to confirm the incident have been unsuccessful, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor confirmed it to Channels Television.

The news of his abduction comes barely 24 hours after the state governor, Bala Mohammed tested positive to the virus.

LAST-MINUTE SHOPPING…

Last-minute shopping by Lagos residents at Ile Epo market along Lagos -Abeokuta Expressway, ahead of the planned shutdown of all markets by Lagos State government ...yesterday SUNDAY ADIGUN

ENCOUNTER WITH RAKIYA ATTA SCOTT “…to benefit maximally from the resources of a state, the people of a particular section or area of the state would not mind rigging an election to have their ‘son’ in office. For Rivers State, the upland and lowland (riverine) dichotomy is too obvious, and it has contributed in creating tension and violence during elections...” he wrote without elaboration.

Enlisted into the police in 1960, Atta was an Assistant Superintendent in charge of ‘training of recruits’ at the Police College in Kaduna on 15th January 1966 when the first coup occurred.

“At about midnight on the day of the coup, we heard gunshots incessantly and many prominent persons started driving into the Police College, Kaduna to take refuge.

Alhaji M.D. Yusuf who was the Commissioner of Police in the Northern Region drove in, so did Ali Akilu, the Secretary to the Northern Regional Government, as well as Permanent Secretaries”, Atta wrote as he recounted how the coup leaders avoided a confrontation with the Squadron of the Mobile Police Force that was “fully trained and armed”, even though he ended the story with an anti-climax: “Subsequently, other things followed which for reasons of esprit de corps, I would not want to recount here.”

Six months after that coup, Atta was posted to the Administration Department of the Police College, Ikeja in Lagos where he also witnessed the counter coup by young northern military officers.

“One early morning we heard

gunshots from the Battalion next to us and soldiers were seen running helter skelter…

The British Commandant of the Police College, Ikeja, Mr. R.V. Jones was able to send message to Ikeja Cantonment, and to the coup leaders who replied and agreed that they would not attack the Police College, Ikeja...At about 9.00 a.m., two high-grade cars drove into the Police College, Ikeja. One of them, flying the American flag, conveyed the American Ambassador and the other car which flew the British flag, conveyed the British High Commissioner…”

By virtue of holding strategic positions during all the military coups, Atta had first-hand accounts he would not share except for hints here and there. He was a bit more explicit on the abortive Gideon Orkar coup of April 1990.

“Just as I was settling down as Inspector General of Police, I got an intelligence report on the planned coup mainly by officers from South-South.

I established all the facts and alerted the Military President (General Ibrahim Babangida) of my findings, but the State Security Service (SSS) discountenanced the information, and two months later, Major Gideon Orkar struck in April 1990. By the time we got the briefings of the coup, a lot of facts presented by my intelligence report proved to be correct,” Atta wrote.

Given his illustrious public service career, I am disappointed with Atta’s book because he hesitated at every point, giving one excuse after another as to why he would not dwell on what happened.

But Mrs Scott does not appear like someone who would be afraid to tell her stories. If she agrees to the idea, I am quite sure it would be a most revealing book. But I will also not be surprised if she chooses not to. Nigerians of a certain generation are adept at ‘letting the sleeping dog lie’, to our collective detriment.

As I parted with Mrs Scott three weeks ago, I told both Duke and Enin about the dearth of authentic Nigerian stories. To corroborate my point, Duke shared with me his March 2017 experience with HRH Prince Michael of Kent, (first cousin to Queen Elizabeth II) who was then in Nigeria for the opening of the Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta. “After the event, Prince Michael came to Calabar for three days as my guest. At a welcome dinner with guests at my residence, I shared the historical folklore about the relationship between the English Crown and the Obong of Calabar, which he initially did not believe until he went to the museum the next day. Now, he is fascinated by the story.”

Sometime in the 1880’s, according to Duke, Queen Victoria, (great, great grandmother to Prince Michael) sent a Royal Mail to the Obong of Calabar, whose territory’s natural habour was responsible for the transportation of more than a quarter of all slaves that departed from Africa. In the message, she requested an end to the slave trade for which hefty duties were paid to the coffers of the Obong. She pledged in return to promote the trade in palm oil, spirits,

ivory, firearms, timber and fabrics between their territories.

She appropriately signed off as Victoria, Queen of England and Associated Territories. But the interpreter conveying her wishes to the Obong read that last line as ‘Victoria, queen of all white people.’

After listening to the message, the then reigning Obong Eyo VII who styled himself as King Eyo Honesty VII promptly bought the idea, but with one demand: he and the Queen had to seal the deal via marriage. He then signed off as ‘Eyo Honesty VII, King of All Black Men’. In response, an apparently amused Queen Victoria sent a Cape, a Crown, a Scepter and a Bible. The Obong interpreted these gifts as her acceptance of his offer and the Bible a request that he embrace Christianity which he did. That explains why, at the installation of a new Obong of Calabar, immediately following the traditional rites of initiation, he proceeds to the Duke Town Presbyterian Church, where two bedecked chairs are placed before the steps leading to the altar: One for the Obong and an empty one, representing the seat of the Queen of England. The Obong’s legal wife sits behind in deference.

I understand Prince Michael is including the story of his great, great grandmother’s ‘Calabar husband’ in his coming book!

Despite the fact that I stay away from Lagos these days because of the horrible traffic, I enjoyed my last visit of 6th March. In the evening, it was another session to relive memories with the Olowo Eko, Oba Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu, at

his Iduganran Palace. Given Oba Akiolu’s experience in the police where he retired as an Assistant Inspector General (AIG), I hope he will also document his story. Meanwhile, Mrs Onari Duke—who in April 2017 presented my book, ‘Against the Run of Play’—insisted I had to spend the night in their house rather than the hotel I had earlier booked. I cannot thank her enough for the kind hospitality.

While I hope Mrs Scott will agree to share with me the fascinating account of her life and career which somehow connects with that of Nigeria, let me conclude with a story which would make a memoir

by Duke himself extraordinarily compelling.

In December 2003, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) was holding in Abuja at a period when there was a serious rift between the then Obong Nta Elijah Henshaw VI, the first Professor of Dentistry in West Africa, and other traditional title holders. The Obong was said to be fond of speaking English to intimidate some of them. “A new Ndidem of the Quas, Thomas Ika Ika Oqua III, was due installation at about the time CHOGM was being held at Abuja. I implored the Obong to attend to show fraternal goodwill between the two thrones and help bridge the widening divide.

He was silent and I assumed that was consent. But at the installation ceremony, I noticed that the Obong was absent and unrepresented. I was furious.

When I finally reached him on phone several hours after the

ceremony, he calmly reminded me that I should know that with his ancestral Queen in Abuja, there was no way he would stay in Calabar just because of the installation of some village head. Certainly, Elijah Henshaw was in a class of his own!”, Duke said to roaring laughter.

At the end, what cuts through the foregoing disparate accounts is that the authentic history of our country lies hidden in the memory of individuals by dint of their experiences or proximity to major actors of the past. Even in times like this, such individuals should be encouraged, for the benefit of posterity and future generations, to step forward and tell their stories. Sadly, one of the challenges of Nigeria is that we discount the past. Never allowing the scars to heal means they will continue to haunt us. Who decided that History is not important a subject to be taught in school? History, as Etieene Gilson surmised “is the only laboratory we have in which to test the consequences of thought.”

Six years ago, we had a serious challenge with Ebola which we collectively fought as a people and overcame. If we learnt any lessons from that experience, it has not reflected in the way we are dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic and that says something about us.

Tiffany Isselhardt argues that there is history everywhere “alive, breathing, and waiting to be heard”. She also says that “history is the story of us and can teach us who we are, where we come from, and perhaps reveal where we want to go.”

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THURSDAY MARCH 26, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

24 HOURS...

24 HOURS...

Some UCH Doctors in Self-isolation, Says CMD The Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Prof. Jesse Otegbayo, disclosed yesterday that some doctors in the hospital were in self-isolation for coming in contact with some people who were suspected to have contracted coronavirus.

The hospital has currently closed down its medicine, surgery and children wards while the accident and emergency department are still open.

Otegbayo said, “There are some of our doctors who are in self-isolation or quarantine because of exposure to suspected cases. We don’t have to wait till we start seeing positive ones before we take appropriate actions.

“As the CMD, I have the

sole responsibility to take care of and protect our staff from unnecessary infection and I just want to be proactive. As you are aware, the number of cases testing positive to COVID-19 is increasing and personally, I believe in prevention rather than the curative approaches.”

He explained that some countries were able to reduce the number of cases because they locked down early. He said, “Initially, we thought we should leave the outpatient department open but we realised that continuing to do that in the absence of enough materials to protect all our staff, including our doctors, nurses and health attendants, is not the best option.

The best option will be to lock this place down.”

Otegbayo said measures had been taken to ensure that emergency services remained open under strict compliance with preventive measures and standard infection control precautions.

He added, “We have channels for taking care of those with

emergencies and we are going to do that to the best of our abilities.

I usually call the Accident and Emergency Department a mad house, but we have had to put in some measures to ensure that it is not just the staff, but also patients with emergencies are protected.

“We have a spillover tent outside our Accident and Emergency with measures that everyone who comes in maintains a safe distance from one another and these measures are necessary to ensure that we all work under the best condition in order to put in our best.”

According to him, the hospital is merging its wards to reduce the number of patients on admission.”

He said those who were stable were being discharged in order to sort out and limit the number of staff being exposed to infection.

ALGON Seeks Lockdown of LGs The National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Kolade David Alabi, has called for nationwide partial lockdown of all local governments in the country.

This, Alabi said, was to complement the efforts of the federal and state governments in curtailing the spread of COVID-19.

According to him, the COVID-19 pandemic is no longer news considering its global calamity evidenced by the speedy penetration into the country.

“While ALGON acknowledges

the vigour of both the Federal and state governments in combating the attendant spiralling spread, control, prevention and treatment for those already affected, we strongly emphasise continued advocacy across the strata due to poor awareness. It is imperative for all the local governments in the country to strictly adhere to the directives of the governments.

“All local government councils are hereby advised to be engaged in a partial lockdown of the council services while the programme “for working from home” is being worked out.”

PDP Raises the Alarm over Collapse of Governance Structure Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last night expressed worry over public apprehensions of perceived collapse of governance structure in the presidency, since the isolation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Malam Abba Kyari, who tested positive to COVID-19.

The main opposition party said in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan that it was disturbed by heightening public anxiety over who controls governance machinery as President Buhari had remained silent on a new governance command structure, since his Chief of Staff, to whom he had relinquished control and supervision of ministers and other sensitive government officials, was quarantined.

According to the statement, “the PDP is worried that Nigerians are now at loss regarding who the cabinet ministers and other officials of the Federal Government currently report to, a development that has sparked apprehensions of a collapse of governance command structure at the Federal Executive.

“Already, there is heightened public apprehensions that the development could have been the reason behind the cancellation of Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s scheduled Federal Government’s briefing on the COVID-19 pandemic thereby denying Nigerians much needed update on issues relating to the

coronavirus disease”, the party said. .

PDP noted that Nigerians are distressed that President Buhari had remained silent on the spread of COVID-19 and had failed to address the nation since some Presidency officials, as well as some state governors and other high profile officials and individuals reportedly tested positive to the virus.

The PDP called on President Buhari to immediately come out clean on who is in charge of the governance structure, since Malam Kyrai has been quarantined.

It said. “Our party wants President Buhari to note that, what Nigerians expect of him at this point in our history is to end his silence, be visible and take up the challenge of personally leading in governance, particularly in this fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, like other leaders across the globe”.

The PDP also counseled President Buhari to wake up and engage other world leaders, international bodies and global health sector stakeholders for solution.

It called on the corporate bodies, the organised business community, international organisations, research and medical institutions and public-spirited individuals to immediately rally with other members of the international community for solutions to check the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

PANIC TRANSACTIONS…

Queue at a bank following the announcement by Lagos State government to close all markets in Lagos ..... yesterday

SUNDAYADIGUN

NLC Urges More Lockdown Nationwide Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has asked the federal government to urgently take further measures to ensure restriction of movement of people in order to prevent wider spread of the COVID-19 in the country.

In a statement issued yesterday by its National President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, the labour movement said government should deal with the pandemic as a national emergency.

It said government should consider compulsory isolation of infected persons.

“We call for broad lockdown of the country with exception to the provision of essential goods and services. Such large-scale lockdown should be accompanied

with appropriate support systems that allow workers who provide essential services to function and in a manner that provides protection and sustenance to them and their families,” he said.

Ayuba said though there is a national strategy against COVID-19 at the national level, the strategy is not being diligently pursued.

For instance, he said that a key component of the national strategy is to conduct on-the-spot check at ports of entry, order self-quarantine for 14 days, and do contact tracing cum follow-up where necessary, adding that this has not diligently pursued.

“From the onset, we expressed our doubt about the efficacy of the self-quarantine strategy. Now, our fears have been proven right

by the multiplicity of cases, including some of our members who returned from trips abroad without appropriate information and actions at the port of entry, apart from instructions to selfquarantine.

“We have been informed that there are inadequate facilities for on-the-spot check in our ports of entry. Even tracking processes are not conforming to global standards to confront the situation. To compound the situation, elitist syndrome or the Nigerian ‘bigmanism’ has severely impaired our response as some senior government officials refuse to subject themselves to routine test, self-quarantine and tracking,” he said.

Ayuba lamented that the country is faced with serious

threat due the fact that it lacks capacity to withstand an epidemic of the magnitude of COVID-19.

According the Ayuba, outside of Lagos State, no other State including the FCT can boast of standard quarantine centres and facilities for the treatment of COVID-19 cases.

He commended the partial lockdown of Lagos and other cities and called for the expansion of this extreme yet necessary initiative if the country must contain the pandemic.

The NLC president said as part of intervention measures, the federal government should approve funds that can be made available to public sector workers and those in the informal sectors to cushion the effects of the ongoing lockdown of the country.

NAF Hands over Medical Equipment from Jack Ma to Health Ministry Sunday Ehigiator The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has handed over medical materials donated by the Jack Ma Foundation, China to the Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja.

The donated medical materials consisted of 107 boxes of medical supplies and equipment, comprising surgical masks, medical disposable protective

clothing, face shields and detection kits, weighing about 3,000 pounds.

They were airlifted in a single mission on Tuesday Night, using the NAF C-130 Hercules aircraft (NAF 913) and handed over by the NAF Aircrew to a delegation from the health ministry led by the Permanent Secretary, Abdullahi yesterday.

Speaking to the press after inspecting the delivered items,

Abdullahi thanked the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar for the timely deployment of aircrafts to airlift the items to Abuja.

He said: “We appreciate NAF officers and men who participated in the airlift mission for their professional conduct.

The donated items would go a long way in supporting government’s effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 in

the Country.”

The NAF leadership, through a statement signed by the Director of Public Relations, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, also expressed the readiness of the service to provide any form of support within its statutory responsibility of providing aid to civil authority, as the nation continues to work assiduously to deal with the threat posed by COVID-19 pandemic.

Delta, Religious Leaders Agree on Social Distancing The Delta State Government said it has agreed with religious leaders to enforce social distancing in worship centres across the state.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, disclosed this in Asaba, the state capital while briefing journalists on the outcome of meetings between the State Task Force

on COVID-19 and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Muslim groups in the state.

He said that the state government was concerned about the health of Deltans and therefore, directed that not more than 50 persons should be allowed in worship centres across the state.

“For quite some time now the

governor has been very busy taking decisions and proactive steps with a view to ensuring that we are not caught napping with respect to the COVID-19 ravaging the country and international community.

“What we have done today is in furtherance to the precautionary measures. The Governor today

felt there is need to consult with religious groups - the Muslim community and the Christian community.

“After the meeting with these two bodies, the government has agreed that in the first instance, on no account should any of the religious groups gather more than 50 persons at a time.

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THURSDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

C O V I D - 1 9 U P D AT E

Anthony Joshua Remains ‘Fit, Healthy’ Despite Contact with Prince Charles Nigeria born British world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshuaremains ‘fit and

healthy’ despite coming into contact with Prince Charlesonly a couple of weeks before the

Kidnapped Enyimba, Abia Comets’ Players Regain Freedom Duro Ikhazuagbe Enyimba midfielder Ekundayo Ojo and Abia Comets’ Benjamin Iluyomade, who were kidnapped on Sunday afternoon along the Benin -Owo Road have regained their freedom.

Media Officer of Enyimba, Zazi Bariza Samuel, confirmed last night the news of the release from kidnappers’ den the two former Sunshine Stars of Akure Players. “The footballers were released on Wednesday night following combined efforts of Enyimba Football Club and families of the players. “The players have since reunited with their families,� observed the statement from the Enyimba spokesman without giving details of how much was paid as ransom.

The two footballers were on their way to Akure from Aba following the suspension of the Nigeria Professional Football League amid concerns over the global pandemic, Covid-19 before they were seized by the gun men at the Ipele section of the road. The third player in the car escaped from the kidnappers.

The kidnappers were initially reported to have demanded

for N100million but changed their minds to N20million on discovering that the duo were footballers from the domestic NPFL. Both Enyimba and the families of the two players pleaded with Nigerians not to jeopardize their negotiations to get them released with sensational social media posts.

The news of the kidnapping of the two players came just few hours after the death in a car crash of two footballers from Rangers International- Emmanuel Ogbu and Ifeanyi George, who was also a Super Eagles ‘B’ team player.

This is the first kidnapping case in the Nigerian league since former coach of Katsina United, Abdullahi Biffo, was captured and released in January 2019.

Bordeaux winger Samuel Kalu’s was the latest Super Eagles player caught up in a case, when his mother was released six days after being kidnapped in March 2019.

Former National team coach Samson Siasia also had his mother held in captivity for ten weeksbefore she was released. She had previously been kidnapped from her home in Bayelsa State.

Guild of Sports Editors Tasks Athletes on Fitness Condoles with families of late George, others

Following the postponement of the Edo 2020 National Sports Festival and the summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, the Guild of Sports Editors has charged Nigerian athletes to ensure they remain fit by continuing with their personal training programmes.

The outbreak of the Covid-19 across the world recently forced the suspension of both the Edo 2020 Nation al Sports Festival and the Olympics billed to hold in Japan in July.

Speaking on the current situation in world sports yesterday, the Guild’s President, Mr. Tony Ubani said although the postponements were unfortunate, it was better that the competitions and others were shifted than endangering the lives of athletes by going ahead with them.

He added: “I want to advise our athletes to continue training as if the competitions would be held tomorrow so that they would not be caught unawares when the situation normalizes.

“I appreciate that these postponements have destabilised so many things and the best well laid plans, but it is in the interest of humanity.

We should make the best of it by remaining healthy and looking forward to better days. “The current scourge will soon pass away, but we must be prepared for whatever happens afterwards. “I expect the country’s relevant sports bodies to provide training programmes for their athletes for their individual use pending when the situation normalizes.�

Ubani also commiserated with the families of the three players who recently lost their lives in a fatal accident near Benin and prayed that God would give them the fortitude to bear their loss.

Rangers Ifeanyi George, Emmanuel Ogbu from the Enugu team’s feeder squad and another footballer died in the crash at Abudu last Sunday morning.

heir to the throne tested positive for coronavirus.

The champion is following government guidelines around self-isolation but has shown no symptoms of the deadly disease, which threatens to derail his upcoming fight with Kubrat Pulev.

Yesterday, Prince Charles became the most highprofile member of the British establishment to contract coronavirus, with Clarence House announcing that the 71-year-old had been showing mild symptoms ‘but otherwise remains in good health’.

It remains unclear when he caught the illness but on March

9, Prince Charles spent the day with the Queen, prime minister Boris Johnson and stars of sport and entertainment - including Joshua - at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey.

An official spokesman for Anthony Joshua said: “AJ is at home following government guidlines, he is fit and well.

He wishes everyone affected a speedy recovery and a huge thank you to all the front line key workers.�

Joshua is due to defend his IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles against mandatory challenger Pulev at the Tottenham Hotspur

Stadium on June 20.

Amid the nationwide lockdown, he is keeping busy at home to remain in shape but with upcoming fights being shelved across the board, AJ’s hopes of meeting fellow Briton Tyson Fury for the undisputed crown face being pushed back to 2021 at the earliest.

The British Boxing Board of Control have already cancelled every show under their jurisdiction until the end of April and a decision will be made next week over the fate of Joshua vs Pulev, with a postponement expected.

As UK’s Sportsmail reported, a contingency date

of July 25 has been pencilled in and provisionally agreed between Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn and Tottenham, though it remains to be seen if even that option would be possible.

With the Premier League yet to be concluded and no firm plan for its remaining games announced, Tottenham could need their stadium for either of those dates, even if the pandemic has been brought under control.

Hearn is expecting to make a call on the June 20 slot by the end of next week, with Joshua aiming to fight twice this year.

World heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has gone into self isolation as precautionary measure since learning of

Gumel Commends Decision to Postpone Tokyo 2020 President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Habu Gomel, has commended both the IOC and the Tokyo 2020 Committee for postponing the 2020 Olympic Games due to the impacts of the Covid- 19 which have continued to spread around the world.

Gumel said this decision is in the best interest of humanity because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

“It is very important at this point to have a rethink about the summer games. We have been engaging ourselves on video calls overtime. That is, the IOC, the Japanese government and the organisers are working hand - in - hand with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to put in place the best for our athletes, officials and guests that will be in Japan but the extent the covid 19 has gotten to is a major concern

for all and sundry, hence the postponement,�observed Gumel.

Speaking further, Gumel who is an IOC member stated that the NOC remains committed to supporting the Sporting Federations in the completion of their qualification process.

He charged the Federations to continue to work in unity with the NOC for the betterment of all.

The IOC, the Japanese

government and the organisers on the backdrop of the advice of the WHO decided that the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in Tokyo be rescheduled to a date not later than summer 2021 in order to safeguard the health of the athletes and create the best possible environment for them to train and participate in the games.

The games however, will keep the name Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.

Obafemi Martins Set to Replace Ighalo at Shanghai Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins is on the verge of a return to Shanghai Shenhua, Chinese media have reported, increasing the likelihood Odion Ighalo will make his stay at Manchester United a permanent one this summer.

Ighalo has made an

impressive start to life at United, scoring four times in eight games since signing on loan until 31 Mayfrom the Chinese Super League club.

Martins, who was previously contracted to Shenhua from 2016 until the end of the 2018 season,

was reported by Titan Sports to have arrived in China on Tuesday and was being lined up to replace Ighalo ahead of the Chinese Super League season.

China’s domestic league has yet to start the 2020 season after kick-off was

delayed indefinitely due to the coronavirus outbreak but speculation is mounting that the campaign will begin in late April or early May. England’s Premier League has been suspended due to the pandemic and will not resume before 30 April.

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THURSDAYSPORTS

Ronaldo Better than Messi, Says Pele In the never-ending debate surrounding Cristiano Ronaldoand Lionel Messi, the former has support from arguably football’s greatestever player.

Brazillegend Pele has added his opinion about who is the current world’s best between Ronaldo and Messi - with the three-time World Cup winner plumping for Ronaldo.

Ronaldo and Messi have been regarded as the world’s leading duo for more than a decade - sharing 11 Ballon d’Orawards between them.

But despite Messi edging that battle (six titles to five), Pele would rather have Ronaldo in his team. ‘Today the best player

in the world is Cristiano Ronaldo,’ he told YouTube channel Pilhado. ‘I think he’s the best, because he’s more consistent, but you can’t forget about (Lionel) Messi, of course, but he’s not a striker.’ Alhough, the 79-year-old was effusive in his praise of Ronaldo he did point out that there have been some legendary figures before him and Messi. And when comparing the duo to legendary names of yesterday - there was no doubt in his mind who comes out on top... himself. “It is a question that is difficult to answer,� he replied when asked who is

the best to have played the beautiful game. “We cannot forget about Zico, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo. “And in Europe, Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff. “Now, it’s not my fault, but I think Pele was better than them all.�

Speaking last week about his health, Pele once again denied claims that he is struggling to come to terms with his mobility problems after undergoing a hip

operation.

The former Brazil striker’s son Edinho told TV Globo last month that his father was ‘embarrassed’ to leave home due to his hip issues, which causes ‘a certain depression’.

But Pele, widely considered one of the best footballers to ever play the game, has insisted those close to him ‘invented that I was depressed’ and that, in reality, he is ‘fine’. “This depression thing, I don’t know if they

got it wrong because in the last two years I had a bruise, a femur operation and then, when I started training or making a commercial, I had to stop,� he told CNN. Pele has suffered from hip trouble for a number of years and now needs a frame to walk. Many of his recent public appearances have been in a wheelchair. “He’s pretty fragile. He had a hip replacement and didn’t have an adequate or

ideal rehabilitation,� Edinho said last month. “So he has this problem with mobility and that has set off a kind of depression.

Imagine, he’s the King, he was always such an imposing figure and today he can’t walk properly. “He’s embarrassed, he doesn’t want to go out, be seen, or do practically anything that involves leaving the house. He is very sheepish, reclusive.’

Man Utd Set for £90m Bid for Barca’s Greizmann Manchester United are readying an ambitious swoop for Barcelona forward Antoine Griezmann, with the Spanish giants prepared to sell him for £90million.

The French star only arrived at the Nou Camp last summer has not yet made the impact that was hoped of him, and now Barca are willing to cash in as part of a wider revamp of the squad.

Now United are ready to pounce and want to recruit Griezmann as their marquee signing and show their confidence in his ability by giving him the famous number seven shirt - currently owned by flop Alexis Sanchez, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The club bestowed similar faith in the Chilean star after signing him from Arsenal in 2018, but he went on a miserable run of just five goals in 45 games at Old Trafford and was shipped out on loan to Inter Milan at the start of this season.

Griezmann was linked with a move to Manchester United in 2017 after the club won their place back in the Champions League, but the move failed to come to fruition with his old club Atletico Madrid undergoing a transfer embargo.

The Frenchman committed to staying and helping the team through that period, but was snapped up by Barca last summer when they paid his ÂŁ110m release clause.

Many fans of the Spanish outfit hoped he might go down in folklore alongside favourites such as Neymar, Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o, but he hasn’t been as prolific as most supporters would have liked.

He has just eight goals in LaLiga this season, with 14 overall and four assists.

Barcelona have long been planning a refresh of their squad amid rumours that they are plotting a return for Brazilian star Neymar, and parting ways with Griezmann could allow them more funds to revitalise the team.

The report says that the club will accept offers upwards of ÂŁ90m for the 29-year-old, which could possibly allow them to move for Inter forward Lautaro Martinez as a replacement.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is in need of more firepower atfter he sold Romelu Lukaku to Inter this season, with no immediate replacement coming in.

The club’s board backed the Norwegian in January with the loan signing of forward Odion Ighalo from Shanghai Shenhua, but the signing of Griezmann would be a real statement of intent and offer a reliable goalscorer with a winning mentality.

Griezmann’s career record makes impressive reading for United fans should the move go ahead. Since bursting onto the scene for Real Sociedad in 2009, he has netted 199 goals in 495 appearances.

Cristiano Ronaldo (right) has been picked by Legendary Pele as better than Lionel Messi

Van Niekerk Welcomes Olympic Games Postponement Olympic men’s 400m champion and world recordholder Wayde van Niekerk has said that he is trying to be “positive� about the postponement of Tokyo 2020, and that it will give him “more time to invest� in his career.

Van Niekerk has been recovering from a knee injury sustained in October 2017 - some two and a half years ago - in a celebrity touch rugby game.

The South African, who suffered a further injury setback last year, has only recently returned to a competition, winning a 100m race on grassat an unofficial university meet in Bloemfontein.

“I’m trying to see the positive in it,� he said of the postponement, announced on Tuesday by the IOC. “I see it as more time to work, more time to prepare, more time to invest in the rest of my career.�

The Olympics were moved back to 2021 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic that has seen sport around the world come virtually to a stop.

A succession of athletes have been giving their reaction - the 10,000m world champion, Joshua Cheptegei, has said the decision to postpone the 2020 Olympic Games to 2021 is “wise�.

British heptathlete and world champion Katarina

Johnson-Thompson said it was “heartbreaking�.

Van Niekerk said that for him, the Tokyo Games - whenever they happen are just another part of his journey. “I think Tokyo is really just a stepping stone to the entire legacy that I want to leave behind,� he said. “This gives me more time to prepare, and more time to work and strengthen myself so that I can work and be in better shape for the Olympic games. “As much as it’s a bit of a downer, having it not happen this year, it’s still happening and it’s still going to be another opportunity for us to showcase our talent

and do our best in the sport.

So I don’t see it as a total loss - I just see it as more time to work.�

Van Niekerk broke the Olympic and world 400m records set by American Michael Johnson in 1999 when he clocked 43.03 seconds at the Rio Games four years ago. But the knee ligament injury he suffered in October 2017 saw him miss the Commonwealth Games the following year.

He made a winning return to action in a 400m race in the provincial Free State championship in February 2019, but missed the World Championships in September because of a bone bruise on the knee.

Entire Fenerbahce Team Tested, One Player, Backroom Staff In Hospital

Antoine Griezmann

Turkish football club Fenerbahce said on Wednesday that one of its players and a member of its medical staff had been sent to hospital for coronavirus tests after showing symptoms during a team testing.

Last week, Turkey became one of the last countries to suspend its sports leagues, taking the decision after growing pressure from clubs,

players and coaches.

Turkey had also come under international pressure to postpone competitions after the vast majority of European soccer leagues, and others globally, shut down.

The death toll from the outbreak in Turkey rose to 44 late on Tuesday, while the number of confirmed cases of the virus in Turkey rose by 343 to 1 872.

In a statement, Fenerbahce said its entire team had been tested for the virus on Wednesday. “Our player and the medical staff member were sent to the hospital for further tests and treatment,� the club said.

Fenerbahce’s statement comes two days after Fatih Terim, the coach of their rivals Galatasaray, said he had tested positive for the virus and was

being treated in hospital.

Besiktas, the third of the “big three� clubs in Turkey, said on Tuesday that none of its players or staff had tested positive for the virus after being tested following Terim’s diagnosis.

At the weekend, Fenerbahce said its basketball players and staff members showing coronavirus symptoms were sent to hospital for tests.

Thursday, March 26, 2020

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MISSILE Musa Bello to FCT Residents “One of the main areas of concern to us is the issue of drug abuse and cultism in our schools. We used to know of cults in the 1970s at the university level. Now you have cults in primary schools and we wonder how do they even get to go there? ” – FCT Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello, confirming that drug abuse and cultism were on the rise in primary and secondary schools in Abuja.

OLUSEGUNADENIYI Encounter with Rakiya Atta Scott THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

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orthern politicians had just concluded their meeting in Lagos with the Chief Minister of pre-independent Nigeria, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.

A few were now gathered in the office of the Federal Minister of Land, Mines and Power, Alhaji Muhammadu Ribadu, with a number of northern bureaucrats, also part of the colonial administration. When it was pointed out by the Federal Minister for Social Services, Sir Shettima Kashim Ibrahim, that a decision had not been reached on a particular issue at their meeting, someone suggested that they “reach out to Kaduna” for clearance—an obvious reference to the Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of Northern Region, who was president of the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC). Surveying his audience, Ribadu, (regarded as the defacto number three man in NPC) chuckled and said: “Ahmadu Rabah (putting emphasis on a name only he and perhaps a few others dared to address Sir Ahmadu Bello), “If some of us were not alive, he would probably claim to be a god.”

I know Nigeria is in the grip of an unprecedented pandemic that has not only brought out the best and worst in us but also threatens our future in so many ways. Sadly, some of the religious clerics have been reckless in their sermons that can only compound the challenge at a time they should be preaching the gospel of social distancing. Now that we are recording casualties and recognisable names are being put to the victims, it is evident that there are difficult days ahead. To compound the challenge, it would seem that when it rains in Nigeria, it actually pours. In a major setback for the war against insurgency that went practically unnoticed, dozens of soldiers (47 according to both Defence Headquarters and Aso Rock) were killed with scores injured on Monday by Boko Haram fighters, following an ambush near Gorgi village in Borno state.

The insurgents who attacked our fighting troops from the rear were said to be heavily armed with rocket-propelled grenades and assault weapons. While I pray God to comfort the grieving families, that should compel introspection on the enormity of the danger confronting us as a nation.

Last Sunday, following an early morning meeting called by our pastor to brief workers on developments in our parish, an elderly man accosted me and said in an emotion-laden voice: “Eleyi ti won ni ka ma jade mo yi; se ebi ko lo ma lu ‘yan pa bayi?” (This one that we are admonished to restrict our movement, will one not die of hunger?). I understand the apprehension of the man. In a society where many families will not eat if they do not go out in a day and there is no safety net for the poor—as I pointed out in my tweeter engagement with @Biolakazeem and @DrOlusesan on Monday—there may be more deaths from deprivation if this crisis persists than from the actual virus.

I have in recent days received several messages, from the hilarious to the serious, on WhatsApp. A particular one sent to me by my brother, Matt Aikhionbhare is very instructive. It is credited to Filipino missionary and writer, Fr. Jerry M. Orbos SVD: “Let this COVID-19 outbreak cleanse, purify, and transfigure us all. How fragile life is, and

Donald Duke...former Cross River State Governor how things can just change in an instant!

How little are our achievements, possessions, and plans. Perhaps we all can become less proud, less selfish, and less materialistic in our thoughts, words, and actions.”

That should serve all of us, especially at a time like this when we need to support as many vulnerable people around us that we can. However, despite the fact that I can write a book on my experiences in the past one week and what they portend, as well as my fears regarding the road ahead, today I choose to divert the attention of readers away from Coronavirus. Instead, I want to share my encounter with Mrs Rakiya Atta Scott, which was like attending an advance history course on Nigeria. What I found fascinating was the lucidity, brilliant recollections and humour (including in a naughty sense) of a 93-year old woman. And as I listened, I gained a better understanding of events that shaped pre-independence Nigeria as well as the First Republic and the military era that followed. I also better understood how those events have conspired against our development as a nation.

As a devoted friend and admirer of the late Sardauna, Mrs Scott presented a picture of a North that is completely at variance with what obtains today. Our encounter left me with the inescapable conclusion that the traditional and political leaders that followed the first generation in that region lack the vision, passion and integrity that drove their predecessors. Sadly, we can say the same for the entire country. Candid, even brutal, while

sometimes sympathetic in her assessments, it was delightful listening to Mrs Scott who never for once dissembled throughout our interaction. But like many Nigerians of her generation, Mrs Scott hinted that she would prefer to take what she knows about Nigeria to her grave (when eventually the bell tolls).

About a month ago, I received a call from the former Cross River State Governor, Mr Donald Duke. His excitement was palpable as he spoke glowingly about a friend of his mother he had recently re-established contact with. “After my chat with her, my first thought was, ‘Segun must meet this woman’.

The information at her disposal, including confidential letters, official dispatches and personal correspondence of historical value dating back to the pre-independence era, are extraordinary...” The more Duke talked about this woman, the more excited I became about the prospect of meeting her. And on Friday, 6th March in Lagos, I met Mrs Rakia Atta Scott. But first, who is she?

Educated in Britain, Mrs Scott is the first qualified nursing sister in the entire Northern region and the daughter of the late Ibrahim Ichegudo Otaru, the first British appointed Atta of Ebiraland who died in 1964. The famous monarch was aptly described by one of his sons, Aliyu Ibrahim Atta, a former Inspector General of Police, as “a very successful polygamist who was blessed with 158 children.” Although he was forced to abdicate the throne in 1954 following disagreement with the Ebira Trade Union at the instigation of the British Colonial authority, the late Atta placed a great premium on western education and invested in it heavily for his numerous children.

Mrs Scott’s siblings include Judith Sefi Atta, a former Nigerian Ambassador and Minister; Abdulaziz Atta, Nigeria’s first Head of Service and Secretary to the Federal Military Government under General Yakubu Gowon; Mahmud Atta, Protocol Officer to the First Republic Premier of Northern region and former chairman of First Bank of Nigeria; Adamu Atta, Second Republic Governor of the old Kwara State (which includes part of the current Kogi and Niger states); AbdulMalik Atta, Nigeria’s first High Commissioner to the United Kingdom; Ado Ibrahim, the current Ohinoyi of Ebiraland and several others. Her late husband, Peter Giligan Scott, of whom she still speaks affectionately, was a British intelligence officer who worked as a colonial District Officer (DO) in Northern Nigeria.

At her home, Mrs Scott greeted her nephew, Kojo Claude Enin (son of her sister who married a Ghanaian) and Duke affectionately. She was warm towards me, although not before saying

Such individuals should be encouraged, for the benefit of posterity and future generations, to step forward and tell their stories. Sadly, one of the challenges of Nigeria is that we discount the past.

Never allowing the scars to heal means they will continue to haunt us

she fears journalists. But it helped that she had read many of my columns and confessed to enjoying them. When she began to speak, I was riveted. For instance, while recounting events of the January 1966 coup that shattered the peace of Nigeria and may be responsible for the mutual suspicions that now define our togetherness, Mrs Scott said her residence was close to that of Brigadier-General Samuel Adesujo Ademulegun, who was killed along with his wife. She actually heard the gunshots and watched as the soldiers left. She knew Kaduna Nzeogwu and some of the other coup plotters but what I found interesting about her account was a constant pushback on the notion that the late Major General Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi (who became Head of State after the putsch) should be blamed for what happened thereafter. She spoke glowingly of Ironsi and was very defensive of him. She is still obviously close to northern military Generals of the era—from Gowon to T.Y. Danjuma to Ibrahim Babangida to the late Sani Abacha—just as she continues to relate well with former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

When a person attains a certain age, there is nothing to fear so she called everything as she saw it during our very informal chat.

That is why it would be so interesting to have Mrs Scott document her story and the rich collection of documents that I have been told (and she indeed confirmed) are in her possession. Clearly, Mrs Scott expressed her disappointment with what Nigeria has become.

While she retains affectionate memories of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, she believes that the late Sir Ahmadu Bello has been vindicated in seeking more time before independence for Nigeria. The late Sardauna, she argued, had a far more realistic assessment of Nigeria at the time than his peers, although she puts the blame for our woes on the current crop of political leaders for whom she has little regard. That was obvious throughout our encounter.

Pushed to share personal details by her nephew who obviously knows some of her stories, Mrs Scott refused the bait. But before I left she shared the story of a top northern public official who she claimed did all he could to woo her, without success. One day, a British colonial officer who had apparently been taking note met the two of them together and told the man: “If you pursue your assignment as diligently as you pursue Rakiya, this office will serve the people better.”

By some coincidence, the autobiography of the 83-year old younger brother of Mrs Scott and former Inspector General of Police was launched in Abuja last Thursday and I received a complimentary copy from a member of the family. Although poorly produced and could do with better editing, ‘Joy of Service’ is more about what was concealed than what is documented. And this is someone who was at critical places during momentous events in our national history. While Commissioner of Police in Rivers State between 1980 and 1983, Atta saw enough of politics in the state to draw conclusions as to how money and ethnicity play critical roles in the contestation for power in Nigeria.

Continued on page 44

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